Bills passed amidst protests

Telugu Desam MPs started a direct attack on the BJPled Central government. After two of its leaders quit the Union Cabinet, party MPs intensified protests inside and outside Parliament.

As soon as the Lok Sabha began on Wednesday, TD, YSRC and TRS members rushed to the well with placards and raised slogans. The House rushed through the proceeding to complete the constitutional obligation of passing the money and appropriation Bills. When the MPs stalled the proceedings, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till noon.

After reassembling, the situation continued and the Speaker asked finance minister Arun Jaitley to move Money and Appropriation Bills which were passed by voice vote after which the House was adjourned.

TD MP Galla Jayadev said democracy was ‘murdered in the presence of the Speaker’. He criticised the way the Bills were passed unilaterally. It was unfortunate that they were not put to vote as the party had proposed a few amendments.

The MPs were highly critical of the BJP government. J.C. Diwakar Reddy said it was very clear that the government would not give AP anything. However, the fight was for the assurances given in the AP Reorganisation Act.

Another member Kesineni Nani said the BJP had ‘insulted’ the people of AP. Mr Y. Sujana Chowdary, who had resigned from Union Cabinet, said the BJP was following double standards. Members of YSRC continued their protest demanding special status to AP and members of TRS demanded enhancement of reservations.