The Hindu : Cong. stalls proceedings over `denial' of ex gratia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Cong. stalls proceedings over `denial' of ex gratia

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD March 24. Question hour proceedings on Monday were stalled by Congress members seeking announcement of ex gratia to the families of farmers who had committed suicide, on the lines of the one made by the Karnataka Government. Angry exchanges continued throughout rendering the Speaker helpless in bringing the House to an order.

Earlier, the Speaker, K. Pratibha Bharati, disallowed adjournment notices given by the Congress, CPI (M) and the MIM on the issue and also that of the BJP on drinking water problem of twin cities.

Though the BJP floor leader, N. Indrasena Reddy, relented when asked to raise the matter in another form, the Congress members were in no mood to oblige the Speaker.

As the notices were disallowed, the Opposition could adopt a different form to discuss the matter and the Government was prepared to answer all their questions, the ruling party maintained.

The Congress members kept standing in their places preventing any business raising slogans seeking ex gratia. The TD members countered it with slogans in favour of smooth conduct of the business.

The Minister for Legislative Affairs, Y. Ramakrushnudu, and the Minister for Industries, K. Vidyadhar Rao, demanded an apology from the Leader of Opposition, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, for causing damage to the property of the House on Saturday after being suspended. The property belonged to the Speaker and it was improper to damage it. The matter could be referred to Ethics Committee, they said.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy termed it a vilification campaign and said the TD members were distorting the truth. Using the opportunity

of "opposition-less" House, the ruling party made wild allegations against them, he said. Recalling Saturday's events, he said four MLAs' of his party were proceeding towards the Chief Minister chamber to request him to come to the House and respond to their demand but the marshals unleashed violence against them.

On coming to know of the incident, he rushed to their rescue and as the Chief Minister was not in his chamber, he staged a dharna in the inner lobbies. But the police personnel and marshals led by the Chief Marshal attacked the media and thrashed three crew members of private channels covering the incident and also attacked the members.

He said the root cause of the problem was the escapism of the Government in answering to the criticism, he said. The Government systematically avoided facing the reality and preferred suspension of the members in a hurry. It did not seek to address the problems of the farmers and instead suspended the Congress members without following the rules. The party was forced to approach the Governor to seek an enquiry into the issue.

Mr. Vidyadhar Rao countered the argument saying the intention of the opposition was clear and it wanted to raid the Chief Minister's chamber and forcefully bring him into the House. It had resorted to violence as was described by several newspapers because of its internal problems. The CLP leader wanted to consolidate his position in the party by creating ruckus in the House and he owed an explanation to the Speaker, he argued.

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