The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : TDP stalls proceedings over killings

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 01, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TDP stalls proceedings over killings

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JUNE 30. Telugu Desam members today disrupted the functioning of the Assembly over the killing of party workers in Anantapur district and, in the process, earned the ire of other political parties.

The main Opposition party remained isolated as no party, including its electoral ally, the BJP, appreciated the action of its members in storming the podium of the Speaker, K.R. Suresh Reddy. They insisted that he permit the TDLP leader, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to reiterate his demands and allow two other members, Ch. Ayanna Patrudu, and Paritala Ravi, to give personal explanations on allegations levelled against them. As an earlier attempt to break the impasse had failed, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day without transacting any listed business.

The BJP floor leader, G. Kishan Reddy, said it was unfortunate that both the TDP and the Congress had not acted responsibly. He had earlier made an unsuccessful attempt to mediate at a floor leaders' meeting convened by the Speaker in his chamber after adjourning the House for the first time. The BJP leader had proposed that the deadlock be resolved by asking the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to make a statement and allowing Mr. Naidu to seek clarifications or stage a walkout.

The Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, agreed to the suggestion but the TDP representatives, Y. Ramakrishnudu, T. Devender Goud and N. Janardhan Reddy, after consultations with Mr. Naidu, said that the TDP wanted a more detailed discussion and permission for two MLAs to give personal explanation. This proposal was not acceptable to the Treasury benches.

When the House assembled again, TDP members rushed to the podium, an action that automatically attracts suspension under the new rules which were amended when the Telugu Desam was in power.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who raised the issue of the Anantapur killings for the third consecutive day, vowed later that his party would continue to highlight it inside the House and outside till the issue was resolved. Since assumption of office by the Congress Government, as many as 15 TDP men have been murdered and 26 injured.

Thirteen Congress MLAs, including G. Muddukrishnama Naidu, Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, Kiran Kumar Reddy, N. Varadarajulu Reddy, K. Venkata Reddy, and the Minister for Roads & Buildings, J. Ram Mohan Rao, said TDP members deserved to be suspended today but the Congress believed that the Opposition's voice must not be stifled.

Separately, Mr. Rosaiah recalled that the Speaker had asked Mr. Naidu at least twice yesterday if he wished to speak further on the issue but the latter did not respond.

Criticising the TDP, the CPI (M) floor leader, N. Narasimhaiah, said the Anantapur murders, though reprehensible, were related to factions but a political colour was sought to be given to them by the Telugu Desam.

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