Andhra assembly disrupted again over Telangana issue

For the second consecutive day Wednesday, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) disrupted Andhra Pradesh state assembly, demanding passing of a resolution for carving out separate Telangana state.

Speaker N. Manohar adjourned the house twice for half-an-hour each and the third time for the day as the TRS members did not allow him to conduct business of the house.

Raising slogans of 'Jai Telangana', the TRS members refused to leave their position at the speaker's podium till an assurance from the government on passing the resolution. The state government has already rejected the demand, saying the issue is before the central government.

As soon as the house met for the day, the speaker rejected the adjournment motions sought to be moved by TRS, the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and other opposition parties on various issues.

The TDP wanted a debate on the problems faced by farmers, while TRS and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) insisted on Telangana resolution.

The TRS legislators were on their feet, demanding the speaker to direct the government to move a resolution. They trooped out and surrounded the speaker's podium. Amid the din, the chair adjourned the house for half-an-hour.

There was no change in the situation when the house re-assembled. Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy appealed to opposition to allow smooth functioning of the house. As the bedlam continued, the speaker adjourned the house for the second time.

When it re-assembled, the TRS continued their protest. Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu's repeated appeals to cooperate with the speaker were ignored by the TRS. As the agitating members refused to resume their seats, the speaker adjourned the house for the day.

The second phase of the budget session, which began Monday, is scheduled to continue till June 21.