The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Tirumala incident rocks Assembly, Council

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Friday, Jul 20, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Tirumala incident rocks Assembly, Council

Agitated members of Telugu Desam Party storm the Speaker’s podium in the House

Noisy protests witnessed in Legislative Council
Jana Reddy’s identical statements in both Houses

HYDERABAD: Both Houses of Legislature were rocked by Opposition parties’ protests on Thursday against the rally by Youth Congress activists in Tirumala leading to the adjournment of the Assembly and the Council on two occasions.

Agitated Telugu Desam members led by K. Subbarayudu stormed the Speaker’s podium in the Assembly raising slogans seeking protection of Tirumala’s sanctity. They sought action against the guilty and scrapping of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board headed by B. Karunakar Reddy for the “sacrilege” committed on Tirumala.

As soon as the House met, the TDP members were on their feet seeking admission of their adjournment motion on the issue.

The Speaker, K.R.Suresh Reddy, who disallowed the motion, told them to raise it in another form.

Podium mobbed

The members then mobbed the podium, demanding action against P.Venkatesh, who took out the rally on his nomination as Chittoor District Youth Congress president.

Trying to pacify them, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah and Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy described the incident as “unfortunate.” The TD members relented following an assurance that the Government would make a statement.

Noisy protests were witnessed in the Legislative Council too with Telugu Desam members stalling the question hour. They were supported by CPI(M) and TRS members.

Admitting that the sanctity had been undermined, Panchayat Raj Minister J. C. Diwakar Reddy said Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy had immediately initiated action. Amid the continuing din, the Chairman adjourned the House for half-an-hour. As the TDP members continued to disrupt the proceedings, the Chairman adjourned the House for the second time for tea-break.

Action sought

Later, making identical statements in both Houses, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy said that Venkatesh and five others were arrested on Wednesday night and produced before the Second Additional Munsif Magistrate on Thursday morning.

Responding to the Home Minister’s statement in the Council, Palle Raghunatha Reddy (TDP) demanded action against vigilance officials for dereliction of duty, resignation of the entire TTD Board and its chairman. K. Nageswar (Ind) alleged that fire crackers worth Rs. 3 lakh were transported to Tirumala at the behest of a TTD board member. Chukka Ramaiah (Ind) wanted the Home Minister to inform the House whether he got any intelligence input on the incident.

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