TDP stalls Assembly over 'tainted' ministers

The proceedings of the budget session of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly remained disrupted for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday over the issue of 'tainted' ministers.

The main opposition Telugu Desam Party did not allow the House to function forcing Speaker Nadendla Manohar to adjourn thrice before adjourning it for the day.

As soon as the House met at 9 am, the TDP MLAs entered the House raising slogans demanding immediate dismissal of six 'tainted' ministers who have been served notice by the Supreme Court in connection with the illegal assets case of YSR Congress party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The TDP members resorted to slogan shouting while standing near the Speaker's podium. After about seven minutes, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

Similar scenes were witnessed when the House re-assembled at about 9.55 am and had to be adjourned again for half-an-hour at 10.02 am. The stalemate continued after the House met again at 11.15 am. However, the Speaker against adjourned while calling all the floor leaders for a meeting in his chambers.

But the TDP members maintained their behaviour when the House met again at 12.40 pm. Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu said that it was unfair on the part of the TDP to continue to stall the proceedings despite giving an assurance on smooth functioning of the House during the meeting with the Speaker.

With no signs of restoration of order, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day at about 12.49 pm.