For the first time perhaps, the Telangana Assembly witnessed noisy scenes when the national anthem was played out before the address of Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan to both Houses on Saturday.
When all the members stood up as a mark of respect to the national anthem, some TDP members kept shouting ‘shame shame’ and held up placards. This gesture was not lost on the Governor, Chief Minister and Speaker.
Through out the 15 minute address of the Governor, the TDP and Congress members kept shouting slogans and moved into the well of the House.
However, they remained silent when the national anthem was played for the second time after the Governor finished his address.
The Government Chief Whip Koppula Eashwar was quick to blame the TDP members for bringing disrepute to the House by standing on their seats when the national anthem was being played. He demanded the Speaker to take action against the members for their actions.
The issue was discussed in Business Advisory Committee meeting.
Meanwhile, TDP floor leader E. Dayakar Rao explained that some of their members climbed the benches (seats) to save themselves from the TRS members’ attack and to bring the incident to the Governor’s notice. “Climbing the benches while the national anthem was being played was not intentional or aimed at disrespecting it,” he stated.
