Hyderabad:
The Budget session of Telangana Legislative Assembly began on Saturday on a stormy note as opposition Congress and TDP members held protests during the Governor’s customary address to the joint sitting of the legislature.
Opposition members alleged that the ruling TRS government was encouraging defections in the state.
Holding placards, members of the opposition parties raised slogans and flung papers at the podium. Many of them stood at their places as the House met while some gathered near the Well. They were even joined by some members of the TRS.
The Governor’s address continued amidst sloganeering and protests.
Later, talking to reporters, TDP floor leader in the Assembly E Dayakar Rao claimed that his party colleagues were “attacked”.
“The incident is a scar for Telangana Assembly. This is a black day. TRS MLAs attacked our (MLA) Prakash Goud and MLC Nageswara Rao,” he alleged.
Countering the TDP and Congress allegations, Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao charged both the parties with also having encouraged defections.
“Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has admitted opposition YSC Congress legislators into TDP. But, they are finding fault with us here. I am asking TDP leaders, what outrageous thing has happened now? You gave in writing to Speaker and Chairman (Legislative Council) that some have changed parties. An appropriate decision will be taken at an appropriate time,” Rao said.
On Congress, he said they had encouraged defections during Y S Rajasekhara Reddy regime, but are crying foul now.
BJP floor leader K Laxman demanded that video footage be released to ascertain the facts on the matter.
Meanwhile, Governor E S L Narasimhan in his address said considerable progress has been made on all fronts despite the fact that the new state faced several challenges post its formation like inadequate staff and non-availability of senior officers.
