A Congress member from Andhra Pradesh today created uproar in Rajya Sabha alleging that "injustice" was done to his state in the Union Budget and that government had "gone back" on its promises made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act.
Raising the issue, J D Seelam said the Budget speech made "no mention of special status" for Andhra Pradesh and "nothing but a token" thing was done for the Polavaram project in the state.
Chanting slogans, Seelam rushed into the Well, prompting Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to say that it was "indiscipline" and "unbecoming" behaviour by the member.
"Injustice was done to Andhra Pradesh in the Budget... There is no mention of a special status. Nothing has been reflected in the Budget even as they had said a lot of things in Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act.
"Whenever I met the minister, he had told me to wait for four-five days promising that the budget will reflect all this. They have gone on back on their promises," Seelam said.
He said the government must make an assurance in this regard "otherwise we will not allow the House to run."
Kurien tried to pacify a visibly angry Seelam but to no avail.
Salem was immediately followed in the Well by his colleage T Subbirami Reddy.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi rose to speak to pacify Seelam but the latter did not budge and disallowed the minister from speaking.
Exasperated over the bedlam, Kurien told Seelam, "it is indiscpline. Do not behave in an unbecoming manner."
When he told the Congress member to raise these points when the discussion on budget commences, Seelam said there is "no point in raising it" as the government does not listen.
Telangana member V Hanumantha Rao was also heard shouting but could not be heard in the din. (PTI)
