AP house witnesses uproar over Sripadasagar 'Scam'

Hyderabad, Mar 14 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Assembly today witnessed uproarious scenes during the debate on the Sripadasagar Project with Opposition Leader N Chandrababu Naidu producing in the house ''fresh evidence'' on the alleged Rs 400 crore fraud.

As the former Chief Minister displayed a set of papers in a sealed cover for production to Speaker K R Suresh Reddy, ruling Congress members were on their feet, shouting that they were 'fake'.

Insisting that the Government at least now place all files before the Chair, conceding to the demand of various parties, including its allies, he said this step would end the deadlock since March two and 'avoid wastage of precious time of the house'. Amid protests by ruling party members he accused the Government of 'trying to tamper with records,' adding 'this is not good for democracy'.

Objecting to his remark, several Congress members were on their feet even as the Government Chief Whip intervened and angrily asked whether this was the practice of the previous TDP Government.

'To cover one mistake, the Government is committing one hundred mistakes', Mr Naidu said, adding he would even produce original estimates.

Intervening, Transport Minister K Lakshminarayana asked Mr Naidu how the Government could produce documents when they had been stolen.

The house plunged into pandemonium when Samajwadi Party member D K Aruna, speaking in praise of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, launched a tirade against the previous TDP Government. Angry TDP members were on their feet, shouting at her for making baseless allegations and speaking out of context.

Panel Speaker N Manohar had a tough time restoring order as despite his repeated appeals, ruling Congress members continued to protest.

Intervening, Tourism Minister J Geeta Reddy accused TDP members of showing scant respect for women by interrupting Ms Aruna's speech.

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