Opposition flays TRS attack on TDP MLAs

KTR hits out at TDP and Congress for following double standards on the issue of defections

TDP leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao showing the injury suffered by party MLA Prakash Goud, in Hyderabad on Saturday.– Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

The unsavoury incidents in the Telangana Assembly on Saturday during the Governor’s address drew the ire of Opposition parties, which termed it undemocratic and unbecoming of a ruling party.

Speaking to reporters at the media point, Congress, TDP, BJP and Left legislators were unanimous in flaying the behaviour of the TRS members, who allegedly assaulted some TDP legislators. TDP Floor Leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao described it as a “black day” in the Assembly’s history and showed the wounds sustained by his colleagues T. Prakash Goud and P. Nageshwar Rao to reporters.

“They were attacked in front of the Governor,” he explained.

Demanding disqualification of TDP MLAs who had defected to TRS, Mr. Rao threatened to stall the proceedings till action was taken against them.

All opposition parties would be consulted for mustering support on the issue, he stated. Deputy floor leader of TDP A. Revanth Reddy demanded disqualification of Minister T. Srinivas Yadav and TRS MLAs who had attacked TDP legislators. BJP Floor Leader K. Laxman criticised TRS legislators for donning the role of marshals.

He also condemned the disrespect shown to the national anthem by the legislators.

Condemning the attack on TDP members, Congress legislators D.K. Aruna and Md. Ali Shabbir said the protest by Congress and TDP legislators was totally valid. R. Ravindra Naik (CPI) and Sunnam Rajaiah (CPI-M) also flayed the

TRS members and observed that Assembly was deviating from its mandate.

However, TRS legislators V. Srinivas Goud, Kanne Prabhakar, Jagadishwar Reddy and T. Bhanu Prasad Rao criticised the Opposition MLAs’ attitude and disrespect shown to national anthem.

They alleged that the Opposition parties’ aim was only to gain publicity.

TRS flays TDP, Congress

Meanwhile, Minister for Panchayat Raj K.T. Rama Rao came down heavily against TDP and Congress and their double standards on the issue of defections. He sought to know why TDP was unable to suggest its leadership against encouraging defections in Andhra Pradesh and why did Congress leaders, who were crying hoarse now, kept quiet when 10 TRS MLAs were admitted to Congress in the past.

“It’s unfortunate that a neighbouring State’s Chief Minister has been setting the agenda for TDP legislators in Telangana,” Mr. Rama Rao said and asked how the members could speak on the issue of defections when complaints were pending before the Speaker/Chairman. “We have the responsibility of taking along all who come together towards development of Telangana,” he noted.