"Tainted" ministers issue disrupts Assembly proceedings

The issue of tainted ministers disrupted the proceedings of the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

Trouble began when Agriculture Minister Kanna Laxminarayana began his reply in the House on an issue related to farmers. However, his speech was disrupted by the Telugu Desam Party members and its MLA P Keshava said that his party would not allow the "tainted ministers" to speak in the House.

Intervening on the issue, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar defended the ministers and said that they were merely named as accused in the chargesheet and therefore, they should not be considered as culprits.

The TDP members rushed to Speaker Nadendla Manhoar's podium and shouted slogans against the ministers. Following uproar, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

Similar scenes were witnessed when the House re-assembled with Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on chair. The TDP members did not allow the Agriculture Minister to make a statement. They alleged that the Congress party was adopting a dual stand with regard to corruption at the Centre and State.

The Chief Minister came in defence of the ministers for the second time. However, it failed to convince the agitating opposition members.

Former minister B Dharmana Prasad Rao said that the court is yet to deliver its judgment and therefore, those names as accused could not be treated as guilty. He said the GOs issued in 2006 were based on Principal GOs and no minister was involved in any irregularity.

Dharmana Prasad and Kanni Laxminaraya alleged that several irregularities took place during TDP's rule when N Chandrababu Naidu was the Chief Minister.

With the TDP members continuing their protest, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House till 4.30 PM.