(Image source from: Hansindia.com)
AP Legislature Session To Start From Today, YSRCP To Stay Away:- The tenth session of Andhra Pradesh legislature will start today in Amaravati. However, it could well be a dull affair as the only opposition YSR Congress (YSRC) has decided not to take part in the proceedings.
In the 176- member Assembly, the YSRC is the lone opposition party and has 66 members, for the record. What is more shocking is that, over the last 22 months, 21 YSRC MLAs have switched sides and joined the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In support of their demand that these legislators be disqualified forthwith, the Jaganmohan Reddy-led outfit has decided not to attend the legislature session.
“We are not boycotting the legislature sessions and are very much in favour of attending the proceedings. But the Speaker should first initiate action against the turncoats who crossed over to the treasury benches,” said senior YSRC MLA G Srikanth Reddy.
The TDP has 103 members and its coalition partner BJP four MLAs, while an independent and another of Navodayam Party have “associated” with the ruling party. There is one nominated (Anglo-Indian) member in the House. Even though, on some previous occasions only the Leader of Opposition abstained in protest against an issue, it will be the first time the entire opposition will be staying away from the legislature proceedings, the senior legislators pointed out.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wants to run the House on the lines of Singapore Parliament, in the absence of any opposition. “Opposition in Singapore is nominal but the ruling party takes the parliamentary proceedings very seriously. So, we too shall take the legislature sessions seriously and work for redressal of people’s grievances,” Naidu told a meeting of the TDP Coordination Committee.
As the government skipped the monsoon sitting normally conducted in July-August, the monsoon and the winter sessions of the legislature are being held together for the first time.
“This will be a combined session and may likely be conducted for 10-15 days. Once the government gives clarity, we will decide on the exact number of days,” Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said on the eve of the session.
The YSRC was appealed by the Speaker to reconsider its decision and attend the House.
“I have read in newspapers about the YSRC’s decision. It will be good if they attend and take part in the debates on all issues. I appeal to them to attend the session,” Rao said.
Some important legislative business to enact laws like the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Corridor Development Act and a modified law on land acquisition will be taken up by the government, on its part. The government sources said, a few other bills are also being drafted for presentation to the House.
SUPRAJA
