The first day of the Telangana Legislative Assembly’s Monsoon Session witnessed intense political confrontation, with protests outside the Assembly, disruptions inside the House and sharp exchanges between the ruling Congress, BRS and BJP.
The biggest confrontation took place at the Assembly gates, where several BRS legislators were stopped from entering while wearing black T-shirts carrying slogans criticising the Congress government’s performance during its 1,000 days in office. BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), former minister T. Harish Rao and several other party leaders were detained following a confrontation with police.
BRS Leaders Clash with Police
- BRS legislators said they were prevented from attending the Assembly session because of their black T-shirts. The situation escalated into a scuffle between police and the legislators.
- Several BRS leaders alleged that police used force during the confrontation. BRS leaders, including KTR, Harish Rao, G. Jagadish Reddy, P. Sabitha Indra Reddy and Sunitha Laxma Reddy, were among those involved in the confrontation. Some leaders reported minor injuries.
- BRS leaders also raised allegations regarding the treatment of women legislators during the incident. Sabitha Indra Reddy alleged that she was pulled by her hair, while Sunitha Laxma Reddy alleged that police personnel pulled her saree. The allegations have added to the political controversy surrounding the incident.
- Following the incident, BRS called for protests against what it described as police high handedness and the denial of entry to its legislators.
High Court Directs Police Not to Stop BRS MLAs
- The controversy also reached the Telangana High Court. The court directed the Director General of Police not to restrain or prevent BRS legislators from entering the Assembly to attend the ongoing session.
- The direction came amid allegations of police misconduct during the confrontation outside the Assembly.
BJP Raises 22-A Prohibited Lands Issue
- Inside the Assembly, BJP members disrupted proceedings over the issue of 22-A prohibited properties.
- The BJP demanded a judicial inquiry into the issue and entered the Well of the House while raising slogans. The protest forced Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to adjourn the proceedings for 15 minutes.
- Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy later assured the House that the matter could be discussed.
- The 22-A issue relates to properties placed under restrictions on registration and has become a politically sensitive issue in Telangana.
Controversy Over BRS MLC Tata Madhu
- Another major controversy emerged over alleged remarks by BRS MLC Tata Madhu concerning Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar.
- Congress leaders accused Tata Madhu of using inappropriate and disparaging language against the Speaker. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy demanded an apology and sought action against the BRS MLC.
- Tata Madhu later denied that he had deliberately abused the Speaker. He alleged that he had been assaulted by police during the confrontation and said that if any of his remarks were understood as being directed at the Speaker, he withdrew them and expressed regret.
Speaker Becomes Emotional
- The controversy continued inside the House, with Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar becoming visibly emotional during the proceedings following the alleged remarks.
- The incident led to further political exchanges between the ruling Congress and BRS, adding to the tension on the opening day of the session.
Stormy Session Likely to Continue
- The developments on the opening day indicate that the Assembly session is likely to witness intense debates between the Congress government and the Opposition.
- Issues including governance, implementation of election promises, 22-A properties, law and order, public welfare and other state matters are expected to remain at the centre of political discussions during the session.
- The first day has already highlighted the sharp political tensions between the Congress government and the BRS, while the BJP is also pushing several issues inside the House.
Business Galaxy: The developments underline a particularly contentious opening to the Telangana Assembly session, with events outside the House becoming as politically significant as the debates taking place inside it.
