Naidu remark plunges House into controversy

Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Opposition Leader N Chandrababu Naidu had a verbal duel on the opening day of the monsoon session of the Assembly here on Wednesday.

As soon as the House met for the day, the BJP introduced an adjournment motion on the allocation of funds for Backward Classes welfare and artisans. However, Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy disallowed the motion citing the time constraints. 

Later, Telugu Desam members raised slogans against the government demanding discussion on the projects being built by Maharashtra on the river Godavari. This disrupted the proceedings of the House.

 But Kiran Kumar Reddy assured the Opposition that he would allot time to discuss the issue later and appealed to allow the proceedings without any hindrance.

 However, the members raised slogans against the Speaker and disturbed the House proceedings.

Amid sloganeering by the TDP, the Speaker took up the question hour and asked the members to cooperate with the House in completing the business agenda of day. Later, the TDP members relented and the Speaker began the question hour.

When the House took up a discussion on reduction of IIIT seats, Opposition leader Naidu sought an assurance from Chief Minister K Rosaiah that there would be no cut in seats from the next academic year.

 A terse remark by Naidu that the Chief Minister who had his eyes and ears open to issues did not apply his mind in the House led to a controversy and heated arguments between them. However, Naidu later withdrew his comments against the Chief Minister.