Ruckus in Andhra Assembly over special status issue

Hyderabad, Sept 9: Scuffle broke out between opposition YSR Congress legislators and marshals inside Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Friday morning as the MLAs stormed the Speaker's podium for the second consecutive day demanding immediate discussion on the special category status issue.

Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao admonished the MLAs and the marshals and adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes as the opposition protest grew noisy.

The YSRC members, wearing black robes, were on their feet as soon as the House met for the day's proceedings at 9 am. They demanded that a discussion, through their adjournment motion, be immediately taken up on the issue of the special category status for the state.

Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the government on its own agreed to make a statement in the House on the announcement made by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley extending a special financial package to AP.

"The Chief Minister was ready to make the statement yesterday but you did not allow it. As decided in the Business Advisory Committee meeting, we can have a discussion in the House only after the Chief Minister makes the statement," Yanamala said.

When YSRC MLA Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy insisted on a discussion without the Chief Minister's statement, Yanamala shot back saying, "Lotus Pond (Jagan's residence-cum-YSRC headquarters) rules don't apply in this House."

Following this, the YSRC legislators stormed the Speaker's podium and some of them tried to surround his chair like they did yesterday.

On Friday, however, the marshals were kept ready in anticipation of the situation and moved in to keep the protesting MLAs at bay.

PTI