TDP MP dresses up to ‘warn’ govt

NEWDELHI: It was an unlikely time and place for a performance.

Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) member of Parliament Dr N Sivaprasad on Friday came dressed as Lord Venkateswara to “warn” the Centre of the consequences of not fulfilling the promises made to Andhra Pradesh in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Sivaprasad, who was accompanied by his party colleagues, brandished a sword and whip and muttered chants, drawing crowds near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Parliament precincts.

As he chanted and pierced a lemon with his sword, the actorturned-politician said Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised the people of the state many things in front of gods but had not delivered them.

“Even now, when we are pressing (for our demands), they are not giving specific answers and are neglecting us. Our tolerance has run out. Great Modi has announced (made promises) in presence of Lord Venkateswara, who is in me today and has come in search of him (to look for answers),” Sivaprasad said.

The TDP, an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has been protesting inside and outside Parliament, demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh and other financial benefits to the state.

The first half of the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned for the second day on Friday after TDP legislators raised placards and slogans in the House as they put forward their demands.

This is not the first time that Sivaprasad has grabbed eyeballs.

In 2016, he came to Parliament dressed in half black and halfwhite, ostensibly to represent black and white currency after demonetisation.