It could be a most forgettable day for YSR Congress President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today as he found himself on the mat after failing in his attempt to corner the TDP-led Government on different issues of public interest.
The growing indifference to his leadership within the YSRC also came to fore as most of his party MLAs did not lend him even vocal support as the ruling Telugu Desam and BJP members launched a verbal onslaught on Jagan.
The Leader of Opposition's woes were compounded as Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao repeatedly admonished him over his behaviour in the House.
Speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, Jagan tried to corner the TDP-BJP administration on different issues, like the "failure" to secure special category state status for Andhra Pradesh, special financial assistance and Polavaram irrigation project, among others.
And then, he sought to put the Government in the dock over the land deals in the state capital region Amaravati in which some Ministers, MPs, MLAs and other leaders of TDP have allegedly purchased huge tracts of land.
Jagan read out from the reports being published in his own newspaper 'Sakshi', and also telecast on Sakshi TV, and in the process named Ministers P Pulla Rao and P Narayana in particular. This promoted immediate reaction from the treasury benches who launched a blistering counter-offencive on Jagan.
So much so that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu himself intervened and demanded Jagan prove his allegations right on the floor of the House. He announced, "If you prove the allegations, I will dismiss the two ministers forthwith. Otherwise, you have to face action of the House."
Other Ministers followed suit and pushed Jagan on to the defencive.
When the YSRC President demanded a CBI inquiry into the land deals, the BJP Ministers in the Naidu Cabinet rose to their feet and ridiculed Jagan, saying "you are used to it (CBI probe), so you want CBI inquiry into everything", in reference to the numerous trials currently underway in courts against the 43-year-old leader.
The Government warned of "punishment by the House" if he did not prove his allegations against the Ministers.
"This is a very serious issue and relates to the prestige of the House. If you (Jagan) can't prove the allegations, the House has a right to punish you," Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told the Opposition leader.
"Just because you own a newspaper and a television channel, you can't go to town with all kinds of baseless allegations," the TDP and BJP members said.
The Speaker, too, was vociferous in his admonition of Jagan, saying, "You are making wild allegations against everybody.
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The treasury members also found fault with Jagan for repeatedly referring to the Chief Minister in first person.
"You have to follow decorum in the House. You cannot disrespect the Leader of the House," they said.
When Jagan was all smiles as the Chief Minister was addressing the House in an emotion-filled tone, BJP floor leader P Vishnu Kumar Raju castigated the former for the "vicious and wicked smile".
Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas, also of the BJP, remarked it only exposed the "psycho mentality" of Jagan.
The Speaker, too, chided the YSRC leader. These are extraordinary and grave allegations. This is an irresponsible way of talking in the House.
"The Leader of the House (the CM) asked you to prove the allegations and promised to take action (against the Ministers) if they are found true. Otherwise you have to apologise."
In fact, Jagan faced rebuke from the Speaker during the Question Hour itself when the issue of crop loan waiver was being discussed.
"In the name of protest, you cannot hijack the House. If you want, you can protest and stage a walkout. Or, sit and follow the House (rules).
"You cannot continue to lecture," the Speaker clearly told the Opposition leader as the latter continued to make certain remarks during Question Hour.
