YSRC protests denial of opposition status; key discussions on governance and past administration’s failures lined up.
Vijayawada: The Budget Session of the Andhra Pradesh legislature, which started on Monday with the Governor’s Address, will continue till March 19. The YSR Congress boycotted the proceedings on the first day.
The YSRC legislators led by former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy trooped into the house in the morning but boycotted the proceedings later in a protest over the denial of Opposition status to their party.
Soon after the Governor's speech started, the YSRC members were on their legs. They demanded that they should be given the status of main opposition to voice public issues and protect democracy, despite their negligible number. They continued sloganeering for a while, but this drew no response from the ruling side. They soon moved into the well of the Assembly.
Governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer continued his speech amid the protest. After some time, the YSRC legislatures led by Jagan Reddy boycotted the proceedings and marched out, raising slogans against the TD-led government.
Meanwhile, the business advisory committee of the assembly has made key decisions on the management of the legislature sessions. As per a decision, the sittings would be held for 15 days, starting with the Governor's address.
The BAC meeting decided on the bills to be introduced in the assembly and discussed the major topics. BJP floor leader Vishnu Kumar Raju proposed discussing more issues. The ruling party has listed 24 topics for discussion in the assembly. These included subjects like the past eight months’ achievements of the Naidu-led government, the Polavaram-Banakacharla link, the capital Amaravati works, the road construction and repairs, R&B, the Davos visit, investments, youth employment, the Swarna Andhra Vision 2047 and the industrial and IT policies.
The government has also proposed discussion on issues related to the previous government's failures, including scams, encroachments on forest lands, temple lands, revenue lands, the liquor scam and the Kakinada Port scam.
Other topics that are likely to be discussed in the assembly include pending dues and payments, WhatsApp governance with 161 services, fee reimbursement dues, measures to strengthen the education sector, and resolution of revenue-related issues.
The BAC has decided to conduct sessions for five days a week.
BJP floor leader Vishnu Kumar Raju proposed that more items be added to the agenda. The sessions are set to run until March 19 for 15 days with additional two days reserved for extension, if needed, up to March 21.
A resolution thanking the Governor for his address will be discussed by the assembly tomorrow. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is expected to give his reply to the debate on the same day. The assembly will be adjourned for two days on February 26, with the budget discussions beginning on March 3.
The discussions on the budget are scheduled to conclude by March 19, and two reserve days have been allocated; if necessary, sittings will also be held on March 20 and 21.
