Amaravati, Nov 30 (UNI) High drama prevailed in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Monday as Opposition Telugu Desam Party MLAs led by its leader N Chandrababu Naidu rushed to the podium and squatted there to register their protest for not being given enough time by the Speaker Tammineni Sitaram to speak in the house on the contentious issue of cyclone relief to farmers and affected people.
With the protest by the TDP MLAs, including Mr Naidu continued at the podium, Mr Sitaram suspended the Opposition leader and other 13 party legislators for a day.
TDP MLAs also protested at the speaker's podium against the highhanded behaviour of the ruling YSRCP members.
Mr Naidu angered as the TDP members were not been given any chance to speak on the contentious issue of cyclone relief to the farmers and the affected people.
The TDP members were also agitated that Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was making unparliamentary remarks against the Leader of the Opposition in the house.
The 13 suspended TDP MLAs were K.Atchannaidu, Payyavula Keshav, Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, Nimmala Rama Naidu, Adireddy Bhavani, Velagapudi Ramakrishna, Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Mantena Rama Raju, Yeluri Sambasiva Rao, Gadde Rammohan, Jogeswara Rao, Anagani Satya Prasad and Bendalam Ashok.
Mr Naidu was seen very furious and arguing with the ruling party members during a debate on Cyclone.
Mr Naidu got up from his seat and rushed to the podium and squatted there and the other TDP MLAs followed him.
The Chair made repeated appeals to the TDP members, who remained seated at the podium for a long time, demanding enough time for them to speak on the cyclone damage, fell in deaf ears.
They deplored that while the ruling YSRCP members were given a lot of time to present their views the Opposition members were being totally discouraged.
At this juncture, the Chief Minister alleged that the TDP MLAs were intentionally creating ruckus in the house to disturb the proceedings.
He cited that the Parliament sessions were curtailed due to Coronavirus. The Assembly session was convened to get important bills passed, Mr Reddy said.
“There should be a procedure to be followed by all. I was also in the Opposition but never squatted at podium”, the Chief Minister told the House.
The Chief Minister suggested the Speaker to suspend the agitating TDP MLAs and take them out of the house by calling marshals.
I&PR Minister Perni Venkataramaiah read out the names of the agitating TDP MLAs and the house passed a resolution for their suspension.
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