The opposition TDP on Tuesday blocked the tabling of the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 in the Legislative Council (LC) citing rules.
The House was adjourned thrice as pandemonium prevailed over the rule position and ministers trooped into the Well asking the Chairman of the Upper House to take up the Bill on priority.
The TDP, which is in a majority in the 58-member Council, gave a notice under Rule 71 and moved a motion "disapproving the policy of the government."
Chairman M A Sharrif allowed the TDP's motion much to the chagrin of the ruling YSR Congress, which barely has nine members in the Council.
Though almost all Cabinet ministers sat in the Council to thwart the TDP attempts to stall the Bill, which was passed by the Assembly late on Monday night, they could not convince the Chairman to let the Bill be moved.
"I am giving two hours time for a discussion under Rule 71. We can take up the Bill after that," the Chairman said but the ministers insisted that government business be taken up first.
At one time the ministers spoke in a pleading tone and requested that the Chairman reconsider his decision on the Rule 71 motion.
Senior minister Botsa Satyanarayana asked the Chairman not to use the Council for "political business."
"Don't use your discretionary powers for political gains. Go by the rule book. Don't do politics.
Don't get involved in politics. It will be a blot on you," Bosta told the Council Chairman.
Leader of Opposition Yanamala Ramakrishnudu raised a point of order and referred to Rules 139, 140 and 141 of the Council Business.
"The Assembly passed the Bill only last night. You received notice about it this morning. Under Rule 141, two days time can be taken by the Council before the same Bill is moved," Yanamala pointed out.
Legislative Affairs Minister Buggana Rajendranath said taking up the motion under Rule 71 and puting off the Bill would set a bad precedent and have far-reaching consequences.
"The Bill gets precedence and priority. But the opposition is only seeking to obstruct government business," Buggana alleged.
Deputy Chief Minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose said, "We are pleading with you to reconsider the decision. This is not government policy, but a Bill."
The Opposition leader countered it saying the government brought its policy in the form of a Bill.
"Rule 71 is being invoked for the first time in history. There is gross indiscipline in the Government indiscipline," Yanamala remarked.
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