Epaper
As expected, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly plunged into pandemonium from the moment it assembled for the day on Friday. The arrival of the draft Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013 has raised the political temperature in the state with Telangana protagonists and integrationists gearing for a bitter showdown using the Assembly as the battleground.
As soon as the House assembled for the day, the members, cutting across party lines, stormed the Speaker’s podium and raised slogans in support of their respective cause.
While Telangana legislators insisted on taking up the draft bill without any further delay, the Seemandhra members raised “Jai Samaikyandhra” slogans.
There was utter chaos in the House, prompting the Speaker Nadendla Manohar to adjourn it for 30 minutes.
Earlier, the Speaker rejected the notice given by the YSR Congress Party floor leader Y S Vijayamma, demanding that the House pass a resolution in favour of keeping the state united.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) gave an adjournment motion to discuss the manner in which the Centre and state government were pushing the bifurcation process in utter disregard to the constitutional procedures.
In spite of repeated appeals for calm by the Speaker, the members continued to surround the podium and resorted to competitive slogan-shouting.
