Andhra pradesh assembly began its monsoon session with bitter war of words. The house which met at 9.30 AM was adjourned in the first hour itsself following raucous over the stampede that resulted in the 29 deaths in June during Maha Pushkaralu near Rajahmundry. Today the house expressed condolence over the death of former president Kalam, Pushkara stamepde deaths and deaths caused by the special status demand.
When the government moved a motion to condole the stampede deaths, opposition leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy accused that the death occurred due to chief minister Naidu’s publicity mania. Referring to the tragic event chief minister Naidu said it happened despite all precautions taken by the government. Jagan, however, likened CM’s explanation to the sermons of ghosts. ” Chief minister publicity mania led to the tragedy. Instead of going to the earmarked VIP ghat on the first day of Pushakaralu, the CM came to the one meant for ordinary people. And he allowed the his pujas to be shot for a short movie,” he said, This created a furor in the House.
Finance minister Yanamala Ramarkishuhu, who is also legislative minister, objected to using the obituary reference to settle political scores. Jagan could raise these issues at the time of debate on stampede in the House, he said. Even speaker Kodela also requested the opposition leader to withdraw the ‘sermons of ghosts’ comment.
Later,both opposition and treasury benches traded charges freely. At the time of obit reference to suicides by youth demanding special status, Chief minister Naidu accused the YSRC of having conspired with Congress to divide the state. ” Division was the result Jagan’s understanding with Congress to bail himself out of cases. We are trying to repair the damage. If Opposition leader wants to talk as he wishes we won’t allow. It will be dealt with equal force,” Naidu said.
Jagan, however, said a simple condolence message would not serve the purpose the house doesn’t talk about the reasons that led to the death of stampede victims. He insisted that reasons for the stampede must be talked about. The CM advised that condolence message should be treated as a condolence message and it should not be turned into a debate. Sport minister Achhannaiud remarks against Jagan had further vitiated the atmosphere in the House. ” Jagan doesn’t know when to talk and what to talk. He is a stupid,” Achhannaidu said. But, speaker warned him to watch his tongue while using the language in the House.
Jagan protested for not allowing to speak on the suicides committed by youth demanding special category status. While speaking on the subject Naidu said it was because of the delay in according special status people were committing suicides. But, Jagan said the hype TDP and BJP created was responsible for the suicides. Government had not yet given any exgratia so far, Jagan said.
He said the YSRCP had no right to talk either on special status on the TDP role. “We have put special status issue as top most point in my memorandum submitted to the PM. The issue had been referred to NITI Ayog. YSRCP can’t ask us to quit NDA. If we come out of NDA, are you planning to sneak into it,” Naidu asked. Speaker expressed dismay at the language used by members and said it was not the way to express solidarity to those sacrificed for the state. Jagan also protested the cutting of microphones whenever he rose to speak.
