VIJAYAWADA: With Friday being the last day of the budget session, high drama prevailed in Parliament following TDP Rajya Sabha MPs staying put in the Well even after adjournment on Thursday evening.
Though Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien urged the protesting MPs to leave the House, they tried to attract the attention of the Centre to their demands by digging in their heels. Demanding that the NDA government fulfil the promises made to Andhra Pradesh, including special category status and the implementation of provisions of the AP State Reorganisation Act, the TDP MPs maintained that they would not go out under any circumstances until their demands were met. They were, however, evicted from the House by marshals around 8 am.
Meanwhile, Anakapalli TDP Lok Sabha member Muttamsetti Srinivasa, who along with other party MPs participated in the protest in the Parliament Central Hall as a mark of solidarity with the Rajya Sabha members, collapsed all of a sudden and was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. It is learnt that the blood pressure level of Srinivas had gone up and he suffered pain in his left hand.
Taking strong exception to the manner in which they were treated, MPs YS Chowdary and CM Ramesh alleged that marshals forcibly dragged them out like cattle. “We are fighting for safeguarding the interests of five crore people Andhra Pradesh and will further intensify our agitation until promises made to AP are fulfilled,” they said.
Speaking to reporters, TDP Rajya Sabha member Ramesh said, “After the RS was adjourned, we remained inside peacefully demanding rights of AP. But marshals pulled us out in a rude way and injured us. We never expected this. It is an insult to people of AP. They are showing their muscle power. We will take this seriously and begin our agitations from tomorrow.”
The MPs also said that they explained the reason behind their protest to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien“There is no respect for members. The government has to execute the bills passed in Parliament. The government has not done anything and this is utter negligence,” Y S Chowdary told reporters.
TDP floor leader in Lok Sabha Thota Narasimham described eviction of MPs from Rajya Sabha as murder of democracy.Earlier in the day, MPs of AIADMK continued their protest, raising slogans demanding setting up of Cauvery river board. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House reasoning that she could not take the head count of MPs. It’s 21st day that the House was adjourned without transacting any business. TMC Parliamentary Party leader Derek O’brien tweeted: “Strong Delhi buzz confirming BJP on the double defensive. At least two TV channels who shot full interviews with @ncbn Chandrababu Naidu told not to run the same.’’
