Wearing of scarves with party symbols by the Opposition YSRCP corporators kicked up a row between the Opposition and the ruling party members at the Vijayawada Municipal Council meeting on Wednesday. Four YSRCP corporators were suspended later.
During an argument over an issue raised by members of the YSRCP, the TDP members objected over the way the former — B. Vijaykumar and three others, including a woman — were wearing YSRCP’s election symbol, photos of its leaders and party symbol. They allegedly passed comments against YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy drawing the ire of the Opposition. The Mayor told the council that as per the rules, members should not carry their respective party symbols.
Protesting, Mr. Vijaykumar demanded that the council secretary prove the existence of such rule.
Corporators of the both the parties entered into a verbal war and even used unparliamentary language against one another.
Following the wordy duel, Mr. Sridhar, as proposed by the TDP floor leader, suspended four corporators of the YSRCP, including two who were wearing the scarves. They later staged protests outside the council hall.
“Some of the members have been wearing party scarves for the past three years. All of a sudden when we were mounting pressure on another issue, ruling party members raised objection over our scarves. This was only to divert the topic and save their skin,” YSRCP floor leader B. Punyaseela said later.
National song
The Mayor could have simply read out the rule and asked the members not to wear party symbols hereafter, she said.
Rendering of Vande Mataram as prayer song before beginning the council meeting here on Wednesday left many council members confused and a few fuming.
According to a resolution passed at the recent council meeting, it had been decided that the national anthem Jana Gana Mana should be rendered before the beginning of the council meetings.
However, on Tuesday, members were asked to stand for the prayer song and Vande Mataram was played. “It was a mistake, but we kept quiet not to make an issue of the national anthem or song,” YSRCP floor leader B. Punyaseela told The Hindu .
“As per the resolution, we should sing Jana Gana Mana , but later the council heads learned that it is Vande Mataram that is usually rendered before any meeting and the national anthem at the end of it. As a correction they chose Vande Mataram but there was no official announcement”, she said.
A co-opted member took the matter to the notice of the Mayor and the Commissioner for correction, but his plea was allegedly ignored.
