The TDP and YSRCP blamed each other for the brawl and described it as a “black day”.
Hyderabad:
Legislators of the ruling YSR Congress and opposition Telugu Desam Party today clashed in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly over the government order banning rallies and roadshows. Later, both sides blamed each other, terming it a “black day”. The TDP called it an attack on the 70-year-old Dalit leader. The YSR Congress alleged that these attacks and protests were part of a deliberate attempt by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to disrupt the proceedings of the Assembly.
TDP MLAs protesting against the government order went to the dais with yellow placards and gheraoed Speaker Tammineni Sitaram during the Question Hour. He tore the papers and threw them at the speaker. TDP MLA Dr Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy hurled abuses at Deputy Chief Minister K Narayana Swamy and YSR Congress MLAs, reported news agency Press Trust of India.
When YSR Congress MLAs VR Eliza and TJR Sudhakar Babu went to save the speaker, a TDP MLA pushed them. TDP MLA Gorantla Buchaiah pushed Vellampalli Srinivas of YSR Congress, who fell down, leading to a tense situation in the House. PTI reported that Sudhakar Babu was injured in the scuffle.
YSR Congress MLAs condemned the behavior of TDP leaders and called it a “black day” in the history of the state assembly.
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, “Shocked to see our MLA Dola Swamy being attacked by YSRCP MLAs in the Assembly. Today is a black day for Andhra Pradesh as such a shameful incident has never happened before in the hallowed assembly hall.” “
He said this seemed to be a pre-planned attack as a reaction to TDP’s clean sweep in the recently held MLC polls, demanding suspension of the ruling party MLAs who were involved in it.
TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh said brutality on the Dalit community continues even inside the assembly.
“Is it the crime of the Dalit MLA who raised the issue of promulgation of Government Order No. 1 on the floor of the Assembly, which is as old as British times? Government orders are brought only to suppress.” The voice of the people,” Mr. Lokesh said.
Lokesh said, “It is a black day in the history of the state as a man, who has crossed the age of 70 years and whom I respect as a grandfather, became a victim of such an attack.”
He said that with the attack on the MLA, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has once again proved that his fight is against the Dalit community.