Denial of special category status to Andhra Pradesh by the Centre rocked the Legislative Assembly on first day of the monsoon session, with Opposition YSR Congress forcing an abrupt adjournment of the House for the day, but only after a resolution ratifying the proposed constitutional amendment paving way for GST was passed.
The Y S Jaganmohan Reddy-led party forced at least two adjournments before House proceedings were terminated for the day.
Unruly scenes were witnessed in the House as the YSRC members, donning black robes, climbed onto the Speaker's podium and surrounded his chair holding placards and raising slogans against the Centre's announcement late last night.
The Centre announced a financial package for Andhra Pradesh that includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance, but stopped short of giving the state special category status.
The YSRC legislators tore placards and other papers and threw the pieces in the air even as Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao warned them to "avoid unruly behaviour".
YSRC members, who came into the House 20 minutes after the proceedings began this morning, stormed the Speaker's podium, holding placards and raising slogans like "Pratyeka Hoda Andhrula Hakku" (special status is Andhra's right).
They were critical of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for "compromising" on the state's interests.
Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said surrounding the Speaker's chair was improper and cautioned the House would have to take action against the errant members.
BJP floor leader P Vishnukumar Raju also found fault with members of YSRC, the only Opposition party in the Assembly, and said they would have to be suspended if they persisted with the unruly behaviour.
Midway through the Question Hour, the Speaker had to adjourn the House for ten minutes but order was not restored when the proceedings resumed after over an hour.
The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings for the second time "for a few minutes" but the House resumed only after over two-and-a-half hours.
Amid the din, Naidu moved a resolution for ratifying the proposed amendment to the Constitution that paves way for introduction of Goods and Services Tax across the country.
As no discussion could be taken up on the GST because of the noisy protest, the Speaker announced the resolution was adopted unanimously.
The Chief Minister then rose to make a statement on the Centre's special economic package for the state but the opposition members did not allow him to speak.
Leader of Opposition Jaganmohan Reddy said the House had previously passed two unanimous resolutions demanding that special status be granted to the state.
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"Last night, (Union Finance Minister Arun) Jaitley categorically ruled out special status. When the Chief Minister himself welcomed this announcement, what should we discuss?" Jagan wondered.
Minutes earlier, five Bills were also moved by respective Ministers in the House.
Though the House was to break for lunch at 2 pm and sit for the evening session at 4 pm, as decided in the Business Advisory Committee meeting, the Speaker abruptly adjourned the House for the day as the YSRC MLAs continued with their protest.
