Hyderabad: Amid protests by Opposition YSR Congress, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed a resolution condoling the death of people in a stampede during 'Godavari Pushakaram' and those who allegedly committed suicide seeking special category status for the state.
The Monsoon session of the Assembly started on Monday and is expected to last a week.
Speaking on the motions condoling the death of 28 people on the first day of Godavari Pushakaram on July 14, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed anguish over the incident despite elaborate arrangements made by government.
Leader of Opposition in AP Assembly Y S Jaganmohan Reddy (YSR Congress) alleged that government was responsible for the stampede as the Chief Minister took holy dip at the ghat meant for common people, leaving aside the VIP ghat.
Taking objection to certain comments made by Reddy, Legislative Affairs Minister Y Ramakrishnudu said it is not proper for the Opposition leader to make a political remark on an obituary reference, as the House is scheduled to take up debate on the issue.
Speaker K Sivaprasad told Reddy that certain comments made by him were derogatory in nature and suggested that they be withdrawn.
The Opposition members trooped into the well of the House as the speaker allowed the Chief Minister to speak. Even as the YSRC members continued their protests, Naidu said the government is ready for debate on any issue and found fault with the Opposition for holding protests during an obituary reference.
Meanwhile, the Speaker read out the condolence motion and the House observed two minutes silence.
On the motion condoling the deaths of persons who allegedly committed suicide over the "delay" by the Centre in according special status to Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said the state government was making all efforts to secure special status and other benefits promised to AP during the bifurcation last year.
Alleging that the government has failed to obtain the benefits promised to AP, Jaganmohan Reddy held the government responsible for the deaths. Naidu, however, countered that the Opposition leader was a Member of Parliament last year, but did not do anything for the benefit of AP.
It was BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and M Venkaiah Naidu who had fought for the interest of Seemandhra in Parliament, he said, adding that the government is ready for debate on all the issues.
The House then observed silence in memory of those who ended their lives in support of special status for Andhra Pradesh.
The Assembly earlier condoled the demise of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, with members from all parties paying rich tributes to the departed soul. The state government has named different institutions and instituted merit awards for students in the name of Kalam, Naidu said. (PTI)
