Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Cong., CPI(M) stage walkout in Assembly

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD Sept. 27. The Congress and the CPI(M) staged a walkout in the Assembly today in protest against the failure of the Government to carry out an amendment to the resolution on criminalisation of politics adopted by the House on Friday and expanding the terms of reference of the Supreme Court Judge who would probe the fake stamp paper scam. Earlier the question hour could not be taken up with the Congress and BJP members stalling the proceedings on different demands.

The Congress demanded a discussion on Krishna waters and the identity of the `Big Boss' while the BJP was unrelenting in its demand for a debate on supply of spurious seed and pesticide, particularly in Warangal. The MLAs of the two parties stood up and displayed placards for a full hour and the Speaker, Pratibha Bharati, adjourned the House for a 15-minute tea break.

The Treasury and the Opposition benches also traded charges as the proceedings were held up. At one point of time, both TDP and Congress MLAs ended up raising slogans demanding a debate on Krishna waters.

When the House resumed, the Congress staged a walkout in protest against the failure of the Government to carry out an amendment to the resolution adopted by the House on criminalisation of politics, as demanded by the party. The Leader of the Opposition, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, said the resolution was passed when the House was not in order and lacked unanimity. He said it was done with the brute majority of the Government.

Citing the adage that `charity begins at home,' Dr. Reddy said the Congress had demanded that the resolution be amended to make the Assembly a haven of morals. The party also wanted that the Chief Minister be brought within the ambit of the Lok Ayukta and the terms of reference for a probe into the fake stamp paper scam by a Supreme Court Judge be expanded to include power purchase agreements with private sector managements, liquor purchase deals and concessions to Kakinada port and India Cements. Dr. Reddy alleged that the Chief Minister was steeped in scandals and demanded his resignation. The CPI(M) member, N. Narasimhaiah, also walked out referring to the recent scandal.

The Home Minister, T. Devendar Goud, reacting to the walkout, said it was a predetermined move. He objected to the use of the word `brute' strength by Dr. Reddy, and appealed to the Speaker to take it up with him strictly. He accused the Congress of playing `water politics' to its convenience in different regions. The party resorted to blackmail by getting hold of one paper which had the words `Big Boss' and blowing up the issue.

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