Frayed tempers, heated verbal exchanges, challenges and counter-challenges, suspension of opposition members, a walkout, a rare display of emotion by the Chief Minister and in the end, a cornered Opposition leader -- all these were on full view in Andhra Pradesh Assembly which witnessed a high-voltage drama today.
The debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address virtually exposed the Opposition YSR Congress, providing the right opportunity for the ruling TDP to proclaim innocence on the controversy stirred by Sakshi media, owned by Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, on the alleged land deals in the new capital region Amaravati.
An emotional Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu lashed out at Jagan for trying to scuttle the development of the state capital and thereby damage the interests of AP and its people as a whole.
"You have been playing dirty games in the last two years and doing everything to see that the capital is not built. But I am very determined and will build a world-class people's capital. You cannot do anything," Naidu told the Opposition leader.
Jagan raised the capital lands issue while speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address. He alleged "insider trading" behind the land purchases allegedly made by some Ministers and ruling party leaders.
He read out from the reports published in his 'Sakshi' newspaper and in particular took the names of two Ministers from TDP -- P Pulla Rao and P Narayana -- over the land issue.
Led by the Chief Minister, the TDP as well as members of coalition partner BJP demanded that Jagan prove the allegations right on the floor of the House or tender an unconditional apology.
"If you prove the allegations, I will dismiss the two Ministers forthwith. Otherwise, you have to face action of the House," Naidu announced. "You don't even know the meaning of insider trading. You are facing many criminal charges and trials. You have no right to talk."
Despite the series of news reports, 'Sakshi' or Jagan could not produce single evidence of wrongdoing in the land deals, Naidu maintained. "You have to speak responsibly and produce evidence. We will be accountable to the public."
Jagan then appeared to divert the issue and wanted the TDP-Government to order a CBI inquiry into alleged land deals.
The BJP Ministers -- Kamineni Srinivas and P Manikyala Rao-- rose to their feet and ridiculed Jagan saying "you are used to it (CBI probe), so you want CBI inquiry into everything", in reference to the numerous trials currently underway in courts against the 43-year-old politician.
The Government warned of "punishment by the House" if Jagan did not prove his allegations against the Ministers.
