Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president N. Raghuveera Reddy has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Leader of the Opposition in Assembly and YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy not to use the Floor of the House to settle their personal scores.
Addressing the media here on Sunday, Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said that in the last few Assembly sessions, there had been practically no discussion on important issues as the House was turned into a platform to accuse each other.
The Chief Minister should take into confidence members of the opposition party and hold a meeting before the budget session.
“There should be fruitful discussion on issues such as farmer suicide, ongoing projects, Special Category Status (SCS), education, and women- related issues,” he said.
Stating that the session should be held for 30 days, he said that one issue should be taken up for discussion every day.
The sanctity of the platform should be respected by both, Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said.
Special status
Stating that the special package was a gimmick doled out in connivance with the Chief Minister, he said: “There is nothing in the package, except for manipulation of figures.”
“The issue should be raised in the session. The Chief Minister and all the MLAs, including those from the Opposition, should undertake a march to New Delhi and get the SCS approved as it is the right of the people of the State,” he added. Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said that work on various projects, including the famed Polavaram, was moving at a snail’s pace and none of the pre-poll promises such as providing jobs to the unemployed and investment flow, had been fulfilled.
On the law and order problem in the State, he said: “Section 144 of the CrPC and Section 30 of the Police Act have been in force for the last three years in the Amaravati region. This shows that the government is afraid of the people’s voice and is trying to stifle it.”
Liquor mafia
Mr. Raghuveera Reddy also faulted the government’s liquor policy.
“So far, the government has not been able to control belt shops. And now, the liquor mafia has gone to the extent of delivering liquor at people’s doorstep,” he said.
Referring to the civic elections, he said: “Elections are due in six corporations and six municipalities. The government is not conducting them as it fears drubbing at the hustings.”
