Date:14/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/14/stories/2006121402340600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR's land issue rocks Andhra Pradesh Assembly

Special Correspondent

Opposition stalls proceedings, seeks debate on land surrender

HYDERABAD: The Assembly failed to transact any business on Wednesday as a spirited Opposition stalled the proceedings demanding admission of their adjournment motions seeking a debate on the surrender of surplus land by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Placard-waving members of the Telugu Desam, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the CPI (M) stormed the well and raised slogans. The three parties along with the CPI and the BJP tabled adjournment motions claiming that Dr. Reddy held 618 acres in contravention of the law.

As pandemonium continued for 15 minutes Speaker K. R. Suresh Reddy adjourned the House and convened a meeting of floor leaders in a bid to break the impasse. However, similar scenes were enacted when the House re-assembled after 90 minutes.

Even as Mr. Suresh Reddy expressed anguish at the wasting of public money due to the interruption, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah offered Government's willingness for a thorough debate on all issues surrounding the controversy. He urged the Speaker to allot time.

Unruly scenes

The Speaker told the House that discussion on surrender of lands by Dr. Reddy could be held on Friday while GO 610 could be taken up on Monday. His appeal to members to resume seats went in vain.

An exasperated Mr. Reddy said he had exhausted all options and asked the floor leaders to discuss among themselves and get back to him with the outcome. As unruly scenes continued he adjourned the House for the day.

The Government-Opposition deadlock on the issue is likely to continue on Thursday with the Telugu Desam, Left and other parties determined to insist on a debate. Several parties are demanding the Chief Minister's resignation.