The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council witnessed chaotic scenes for the fifth consecutive day as the opposition and ruling parties clashed over religious sentiments. YSRCP members demanded an immediate discussion on the laddu ghee issue, leading to heated arguments and the eventual adjournment of the House. The controversy intensified when opposition members displayed photos of the deity during their protest.
The legislative proceedings in Vijayawada took a dramatic turn on Friday. Members of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) entered the well of the House, insisting on an adjournment motion. They sought a comprehensive debate on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report concerning the quality of ghee used in the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam.
Council Chairman K. Moshenu Raju rejected the adjournment motions filed by the opposition. This refusal prompted YSRCP legislators to raise slogans against the government. The situation escalated when members began displaying portraits of Lord Venkateswara to highlight their demands, a move that drew sharp criticism from the treasury benches.
Ruling Party Objects to “God in Politics”
Minister for Legislative Affairs, Payyavula Keshav, led the counter-attack against the opposition’s tactics. He expressed strong resentment over the use of divine images during a political protest. Keshav pointed out that members were holding the sacred photos while wearing footwear, which he termed a “grave insult” to millions of devotees.
“The opposition is dragging the Almighty into their political theatrics,” Keshav stated. He further alleged that the sanctity of the House was compromised. The ruling coalition later lodged an official complaint with the Chairman, seeking disciplinary action against the YSRCP members for their conduct inside the council chamber.
Focus on Dairy Ties and Accountability
The YSRCP’s primary demand revolves around the alleged links between Heritage Foods and Indapur Dairies. Leader of the Opposition, Botcha Satyanarayana, accused the state government of evading a transparent discussion on the laddu ghee issue. He claimed that the ruling alliance is “running away” from accountability regarding the procurement processes.
Satyanarayana maintained that the protest was a necessary step to expose the government’s failure in handling the SIT investigation. He asserted that the opposition would continue to press for a debate until the facts regarding the dairy contracts are made public.
Repeated Disruptions and Adjournment
The Chairman was forced to adjourn the House for ten minutes initially, hoping for tempers to cool down. However, when the session resumed, the sloganeering and display of photos continued unabated. With neither side willing to yield, the Chairman adjourned the Council for the day without transacting any significant business.
Outside the House, the war of words continued. Minister Keshav demanded an unconditional apology from the YSRCP leadership, claiming they had hurt Hindu sentiments by “throwing photos on the floor.” Conversely, the YSRCP maintained that their protest was a legitimate response to the government’s refusal to discuss a matter of immense public and religious importance.
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