Andhra Pradesh   

26 TDP MLAs, including Naidu, suspended

Special Correspondent

Row over `forcible' takeover of private lands by YSR's kin

HYDERABAD: Twenty-six Telugu Desam members, including Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu, were suspended for two days from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday when they stalled the proceedings insisting on a discussion on the alleged forcible acquisition of lands by the kin of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Some were bodily lifted and evicted when the members staged a noisy sit-in near Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy's podium. Earlier, the Speaker adjourned the House for 25 minutes when the members raised slogans and obstructed the proceedings after the adjournment motions tabled by them and BJP legislator on the issue were disallowed.

Telugu Desam MLAs were on their feet waving placards and newspapers seeking a discussion. Ignoring repeated appeals by the Chair, they raised slogans forcing him to adjourn the House. At one point, the Speaker admonished TDLP deputy leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy, saying "you can't dictate to me like this."

Mr. Suresh Reddy asked the members to avail themselves of a separate rule when they sought to raise the issue again after the House reassembled. As they did not relent and raised slogans, he named them and asked Legislative Affairs Minister K. Rosaiah to move the motion for their suspension.

Soon after their suspension, the members staged a dharna outside the Speaker's chambers. At one stage, one of the MLAs Ch. Babu Ramesh fell down when marshals tried to bodily lift him out of the premises. Two others — Lalita Kumari and Sridevi — received some bruises.

Voice stifled: Naidu

Later, Mr. Naidu said that party MLAs and leaders would visit Kadapa and West Godavari districts on a `fact-finding mission' in the coming two days. He added that the voice of the Opposition was being stifled.

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