YSR Congress Party members staged a walkout of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly protesting against the Government’s decision to take up several bills for consideration and passage on Thursday.
Before leading the walkout, Leader of Opposition Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the Government of trying to bulldoze the Opposition. He said that some of the bills were given to members on Thursday morning without giving them sufficient time to prepare and give suggestions. Quoting rules, he said that seven days' time needed to be given before introducing a bill.
He expressed the fear that one of the bills dealing with Special Courts could be misused for harassment and said sufficient time was needed to be given for in-depth discussion.
Rejecting the charge that the Government was bulldozing, Finance Minister Y. Ramakrishnudu said that the Speaker was empowered to give relief and the Government requested the chair in this regard.
Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao said that in view of the short session sufficient material was given to the members.
Earlier, the House witnessed noisy scenes when the YSRCP members rushed to the podium and protested against the remarks of Labour Minister Atchan Naidu, who asked the YSR Party to change its name to “psycho party”. During the din, the Speaker assured members of looking into the records and expunging the remark if it was found un-parliamentary.
Following the uproar, Speaker adjourned the House for about an hour. After the House met, Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy criticised the ruling TDP and described its MLAs as “rowdy MLAs” and Mr. Chandrababu Naidu as “rowdy CM”. Mr. Naidu was not present in the House.
Government Chief Whip K. Srinivasulu condemned his remarks and said words like criminals and rowdy were applicable to Mr. Jagan.
