YSRC MLAs storm Well, scuffle with marshals in Assembly over special status
Hyderabad: Pandemonium broke out in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on second day of the three-day monsoon session here today with the opposition YSR Congress members creating a ruckus over the issue of special category status for the state.
Unruly scenes were witnessed as the opposition legislators entered into a scuffle with marshals inside the House, as the MLAs stormed the Speaker's podium for the second consecutive day demanding an immediate discussion on the special status issue.
An adjournment of the proceedings did not ensure any order, but only led to more trouble as some of the unrelenting YSRC MLAs climbed onto the House reporters' table in front of the Speaker's podium.
One MLA was found breaking the Speaker's mike while a couple of others broke the railing to the podium. A television camera, placed adjacent to the Speaker's podium, recording the House proceedings was also damaged in the melee.
There was pushing and shoving between the YSRC legislators and the marshals with the latter trying to block the former from advancing towards the Speaker. Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao then adjourned the House for the second time.
Earlier in the day, the Speaker admonished both the MLAs and the marshals, and adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes as the opposition protest grew noisy.
The YSRC members, wearing black robes, were on their feet as soon as the House sat for the day's proceedings at 9 am. They demanded that a discussion, through their adjournment motion, be immediately taken up on the special status issue.
Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the government on its own agreed to make a statement in the House on the announcement made by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley extending a special financial package to AP.
"The Chief Minister was ready to make the statement yesterday but you did not allow it. As decided in the Business Advisory Committee meeting, we can have a discussion in the House only after the Chief Minister makes the statement," Yanamala said.
When YSRC MLA Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy insisted on a discussion without the Chief Minister's statement, Yanamala shot back saying, "Lotus Pond (Jagan's residence-cum-YSRC headquarters) rules don't apply in this House."
Following this, the YSRC legislators stormed the Speaker's podium and some of them tried to surround his chair like they did yesterday.
Today, however, marshals were ready in anticipation of the situation and, as the opposition members stormed the Speaker's podium, they moved in to keep the protesting MLAs at bay.
As the marshals tried to physically prevent them from reaching the Speaker's chair, the YSRC MLAs jostled with them. In the melee, a couple of legislators and marshals tripped. A visibly upset Speaker chided the opposition members saying "you are committing a big mistake" and asked them to return to their seats.
"Don't attack the marshals. That is not correct. This is a legislative body, bear in mind and learn how to behave in the House," Kodela said.
"If you think attacking the marshals is the members' right, there can't be nothing more unfortunate. The entire state is watching (your behaviour)," the Speaker told the protesting opposition members.
The high-handed behaviour towards the Speaker's position was not correct, Kodela said, adding that everyone should respect the Chair. "Do you support this high-handed behaviour? You are not realising what a big mistake you are committing. If you have decency and wisdom, ask your members to resume their seats," the Speaker told the YSRC deputy leader.
He also directed the marshals not to touch the MLAs. "Marshals, please don't touch the MLAs. You will not touch the members," Kodela cautioned the marshals.
As there appeared to be no let up in the situation, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for ten minutes.
