Telangana: Andhra Pradesh House slips into chaos

Hyderabad, Feb 28: The ongoing Telangana issue continues to hamper the business in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. The statehood dispute has pushed the Andhra House into turmoil for the eighth day forcing its adjournment twice this morning.

No business could be transacted as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLAs from the region rushed into the Well of the House demanding that a Bill for creation of a separate Telangana state be immediately tabled in Parliament.

The ruling Congress legislators from Telangana too joined the issue, holding placards and raising slogans. The CPI MLAs as well raised the issue, disrupting proceedings of the House.

The main separatist Telangana Rashtra Samiti legislators boycotted the proceedings on Monday, Feb 28.

Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu appealed to the members to let the House transact business. He took exception to the TDP members' protest saying it was their party that blocked the creation of Telangana state during the NDA regime, recalling LK Advani's statement on the issue.

Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu hit back saying it was Congress that was the root cause for current imbroglio.

At one stage, TDP MLA Kothakota Dayakar Rao rushed angrily towards Sridhar Babu protesting his remarks against the TDP. Chief Whip Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other Congress MLAs prevented the TDP member from virtually getting physical with the minister. Amidst this, Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

When the House re-assembled after one-and-a-half hour after the first break, the TDP Telangana members once again stormed the Speaker's podium holding placards. The CPI MLAs too joined them.

The Telangana Congress legislators, however, stayed away from the House this time.

The Deputy Speaker repeatedly appealed to the members to go back to their seats and protest but to no avail. Manohar then adjourned the proceedings for another half an hour after postponing the listed questions for the day.

PTI