Attacks, counter-attacks, allegations and counter-allegations mar the assembly proceedings in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, as the ruling YSR Congress party and opposition Telugu Desam Party indulged in a bitter battle over the demand for revoking of controversial GO Ms No. 1 banning roadside public rallies and meetings on highways.
Though nothing is visible in the live-telecast of the assembly proceedings, different television channels reported in different manner what has happed in the House.
While TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyothy reported that YSRC members T J Sudhakar Babu and Eliza physically attacked two senior TDP members – Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy and Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary, Sakshi gave a completely different version, saying TD members tried to manhandle Speaker Tammineni Sitaram and assaulted the YSRC members who went to the Speaker’s rescue.
Interestingly, both the TDP and YSR Congress party described the developments as black day in the history of the assembly, by presenting their respective versions.
Former chief minister and TDP president Nara Chandrababu Naidu said never in the history of Andhra Pradesh had an MLA been attacked inside the House. He said Monday was the darkest day in the Assembly's history.
The former chief minister is of the opinion that the attack on a Dalit MLA was pre-planned and carried out with the encouragement from chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. “With the physical attack on the MLA right on the floor of the Assembly, the people clearly understood the policies of the YSRCP,” he said.
On the other hand, the YSRC released statement, also terming it as a black day in the history of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature. It said the TDP leaders attacking assembly speaker Tammineni Sitharam and two YSRCP MLAs who had gone to protect the Speaker. “The TDP members also hurled abuses at the Deputy Chief Minister,” the party said.
During the question hour, a few TDP MLAs led by K Atchennaidu went to the podium with yellow placards and gheraoed the Speaker from both sides. They tore papers and threw them at the Speaker. During the ruckus that ensued, YSRCP MLAs VR Eliza and TJR Sudhakar Babu went to protect the Speaker.
“However, they were pushed by a TDP MLA and TJR Sudhakar Babu was also injured in the scuffle. Several YSRCP MLAs rushed to the podium in support of the Speaker and the MLAs resulting in a scuffle,” the YSRCP said.
It further said Veeranjaneyaswamy hurled expletives at Narayana Swamy and the YSRCP MLAs. TDP MLA Gorantla Buchaiah pushed Vellampalli Srinivas who fell down leading to tense moments in the House.
The proceedings were stalled for a brief period and the TDP leaders were suspended for a day from the Assembly proceedings.
