Date:06/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/06/stories/2007110661760600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Naidu, TD MLAs reach Assembly on tractor

Special Correspondent

A number of Telugu Desam leaders, workers turn up at NTR Ghat; bundled into waiting police vans

Some MLAs wear green turbans, others garlands of corn and cotton
CPI (M), CPI MLAs too come in a procession to the Assembly

Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

Raising protest: TDP MLAs led by the party president N Chandrababu Naidu arrive at the State Assembly on the first day of the winter session in Hyderabad on Monday holding sheaves of paddy. -

HYDERABAD: Leader of the Opposition, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Telugu Desam MLAs arrived in the Assembly on a tractor carrying freshly cut paddy sheaves on Monday to highlight “the Government’s failure to ensure remunerative price for agricultural produce.”

They earlier gathered at NTR Ghat, an hour before the Assembly began at 10 a.m., and started their colourful procession. Some MLAs wore green turbans, others garlands of corn, cotton and groundnut and yet others kept up the chant of anti-Government slogans.

Bundled into vans

A number of TDP leaders and workers turned up at the NTR Ghat but they were bundled into waiting police vans. Police made it clear that only Mr. Naidu and the MLAs would be allowed to proceed to the Assembly on the tractor, which was driven by the party legislator, P. Keshav. Leaders T. Devender Goud, E. Dayakar Rao and G. Sayanna sat next to Mr. Naidu.

They settled for the tractor after their move to bring bullock carts was foiled by the police. When the entourage reached the Assembly, the police stopped them at the first entrance saying they did not have the necessary vehicle pass. They got down and walked into the Assembly.

The CPI (M) and CPI MLAs too held paddy sheaves and came in a procession to the Assembly. CPI (M) legislator M.A. Gafoor fell on the ground when they tried to force their way through the police cordon at one of the entrances into the Assembly premises. On the Speaker’s instructions, Chief Marshal of the Assembly, Ch. Gajapati Raju, tendered an apology to the MLA. At a press conference, Mr. Naidu condemned the Government for arresting TDP workers, as if they were resorting to anti-social activities and for seizure of bullock carts on Sunday night. He said the Government was not interested in discussing the MSP issue, as was evident from the adjournment of the House.