The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council on Friday witnessed uproarious scenes as YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) members staged a protest, alleging that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government was repeatedly disrespecting Council Chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju.
The YSRCP members rushed to the podium, raising slogans of “We want justice,” and demanded an apology from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Leader of the Opposition Botsa Satyanarayana accused the ruling alliance of insulting the chairman on multiple occasions.
He pointed out that Raju’s name was omitted from the inauguration of the Assembly canteen building and claimed he had not even been invited to the event.
Botsa further alleged that Raju was excluded from the women’s conference held in Tirupati, stressing that institutions must be respected above individuals. He demanded that the chief minister personally respond in the House.
Chairman Moshenu Raju, however, objected to any discussion on the matter while he was presiding. He said he would appoint a panel chairman if members wished to deliberate on the issue.
Responding to the allegations, State Agriculture Minister K. Atchennaidu asserted that the government had the highest respect for legislative institutions and denied any deliberate slight.
He assured the House that the omission of the chairman’s name from the canteen inauguration invitation would be looked into, clarifying that the chief minister had no role in such matters.
Atchennaidu further said that officials had informed him that Raju was indeed invited to the Tirupati conference, though the chairman maintained he had not received any invitation.
As YSRCP members continued their protest, the Chairman adjourned the Council for a while.