CM seeks national debate on political violence

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 29. The Chief Minister, Mr.N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Tuesday sought a national debate on political violence, intervening in an acrimonious exchange in the Assembly between ruling and Opposition members on yesterday's violence in the State capital.

Heated arguments marked the morning proceedings leading to suspension of the regular business.

Acrimony surfaced soon after the House assembled with CPI(M), MIM and Congress members springing to their feet demanding that their adjournment motions on Monday's police firing be allowed and ruling party members insisting on the Government's statement first.

The Home Minister, Mr. T. Devender Goud's attempts to make a statement on the incidents were scuttled by the Opposition led by Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy of the Congress, Mr.N. Narsimhaiah of the CPI(M) and Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi of the MIM. They demanded that their adjournment motions be allowed on the firing. For about five minutes nothing could be heard with treasury and Opposition members shouting at each other.

The Speaker's plea that the Home Minister be allowed to make a statement first so that the discussion on it could be continued fell on deaf ears.

The Chief Minister accused Opposition members of resorting to rowdyism ``even in the House'' to which Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy objected, saying the ruling party was trying to muffle ``the Opposition's voice.'' When some TD members began moving towards Opposition benches shouting at Congress members, the Chief Minister appealed to them to exercise restraint. He tried to pacify them by saying the Opposition was ``deliberately'' provoking them to create a ruckus in the House too.

Demanding a national debate on political violence, he said the cassette on the violence could be played in the House to determine the truth. At a time when the State was faced with a major flood threat, the Congress and the Left parties were trying to take mileage out of violence. Repeated pleas from him in the House were ignored and the Opposition had planned the violence by allowing extremist elements to infiltrate into the procession, he said in a raised voice.

Recalling Gaddar's visit to the Opposition's hunger strike camp recently, he said the former had links with the PWG and hence, the Opposition too. The BJP floor leader, Mr. Indrasena Reddy, intervened at this juncture and urged members not to insist on technicalities but to carry on with the discussion. A semblance of order was restored when ruling party members agreed to Dr. Reddy continuing his speech.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy pointed out to the injuries sustained by his party member, Mr.D. Nagender, in the lathicharge and said the Government had no compassion either for members or for people. Scuttling democratic opposition or democratic norms had become a habit with the ruling party, he said.

The Industries Minister, Mr.K. Vidyadhar Rao, and Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy went on arguing about the Siva Reddy incident with members from both sides contributing their mite to the decibel levels.

While Dr. Reddy was tracing the events of the last 11 days, the Finance Minister intervened to say Congress members tried to mislead the House by painting an alarming picture of the fasting members' health on Monday. The ruling party was not opposed to a discussion on the subject but to the behaviour of some members. He demanded action against Mr.K. Suryapratap Reddy of the Congress who broke the mike and audio system and threw it towards treasury benches on Monday.

There were arguments on the sanctity of the Opposition agitation and the members' sincerity in going on an indefinite fast. Dr. Reddy insisted that their agitation was not politically motivated but in the interest of people who were in no position to pay the increased power tariff.

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Section  : Southern States
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