Tempers run high in AP Assembly during special status debate

The debate in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on granting special category status to the State witnessed a heated war of words between the ruling TDP and Opposition YSR Congress.
Some of the protesting YSR Congress MLAs, who were in the well of the House, went near the treasury benches, but any unsavoury incident was averted with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asking the ruling TDP-BJP members to observe restraint and other Opposition legislators intervening.
During the debate, marred by bitterness, Opposition Leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy referred to the alleged cash-for- vote scandal and said Naidu's name was mentioned 22 times in the chargesheet in the case.

Alleging that Naidu has failed to secure special status for AP, Reddy said the Chief Minister is not able to put up a fight for the tag, which will allow the State to receive a slew of benefits, in view of the scandal. Naidu "prostrated" before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he claimed.
Reddy also dubbed Naidu as an "outdated" politician. The Chief Minister hit back, saying he is known for promoting IT and that he does value-based politics.
Labour Minister K Atchannaidu alleged that Reddy helped a certain person to get an official position in Telangana.
Reddy, however, asserted he would quit his post if the Minister can prove the charge and asked if Naidu is ready to do so if the allegation is proved false. At this point, Atchannaidu said he had the proof to back his charge.

The House later adopted a resolution urging the Centre to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh.