Row over special status issue dominates AP Assembly on day 2

Hyderabad, Sep 10: The second day of the three-day monsoon session of Andhra Pradesh Assembly abruptly ended without transacting any business on Sept 9, after the proceedings were marred by unruly scenes created by opposition YSR Congress members.

Two adjournments did not result in any order in the House as it was pushed into pandemonium by the lone opposition legislators, who created a ruckus over the special category state status issue. Unruly scenes were witnessed as the opposition legislators entered into a scuffle with marshals (plain- clothed policemen) inside the House as the former stormed the Speaker's podium for the second consecutive day.

Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao expressed anguish over the incidents and adjourned the House for the day as soon as it resumed after the second adjournment.

Adopting a belligerent stance, the YSRC MLAs stormed the Speaker's podium as soon as the day's proceedings began at 9 am and demanded an immediate discussion on the special status issue.

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.

[Read: No special status for Andhra, Centre promises compensation ]

"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 CM 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".

[Read: Andhra shutdown over special status hits normal life]

Following this, the YSRC legislators stormed into the Speaker's podium and some of them tried to surround the Speaker's chair.

This led to a scuffle between the YSRC legislators and the House marshals, who were kept ready in anticipation of the situation, when the latter tried to keep the protesting MLAs at bay.

PTI