YSRCP condemns the attack on its leaders by TDP in the Assembly

 

Date: March 20, 2023*

*Location: Velagapudi*

*YSRCP condemns the attack on its leaders by TDP in the Assembly*

_*YSRCP: This attack proves that TDP is anti-Dalit. We will protest against this with all our might*_

 

Condemning the attack by TDP members on Speaker T Sitaram and YSRCP MLAs in the Assembly today, YSRCP termed it a *’Black Day For Democracy’* and sought stringent action against the perpetrators.

 

YSRCP MLAs unitedly condemned the ghastly attack on Speaker and YSRCP MLAs by TDP MLAs and called them out for specifically targeting MLAs from the Dalit community. YSRCP MLAs said that the despacable attack on the chair and rowdyism inside the Assembly by TDP leaders was unpardonable. YSRCP has now called for a statewide protest against the Opposition for their disgraceful conduct.

 

Addressing the media today, YSRCP MLAs narrated the sequence of events; how Speaker T Sitaram was attacked by TDP MLAs on the floor of the House and claimed that the attack was pre-planned and was concocted to disturb the smooth functioning of the assembly session.

 

MLA VR Eliza informed media that TDP members en masse attacked and manhandled the Speaker and were clearly acting on the directions of Chandrababu Naidu. He further slammed the TDP leaders for denigrating the sanctity of the House. He said, “Everyday, TDP leaders are deliberately trying to create unnecessary ruckus with an intention to stall the proceedings of the House.”

 

MLA Eliza further elaborated that TDP MLA Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy rushed to the Speaker podium in order to threaten the Speaker. “Swamy is the chief conspirator of the attack and he manhandled Mr Sitaram. When I tried to stop the attack on the Speaker, the TDP MLA pushed me aside. Then MLA Sudhakar Babu intervened but he too was attacked by Veeranjaneya Swamy,” Eliza said. He demanded that cases be filed against the erring TDP MLAs under the SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act for attacking the Dalit MLAs.

 

Condemning the attack, MLA Sudhakar Babu squarely blamed Chandrababu Naidu for the scuffle in the House. He said that TDP MLAs had attacked ruling party MLAs at the behest of the TDP Chief and demanded stringent action against him.

 

“TDP MLA Veeranjaneya Swamy didn’t just physically attack me and others, but he also abused Deputy Chief Minister Narayana Swamy and used unparliamentary language,” he said.

 

Expressing his angst, Sudhakar Babu said, “TDP MLAs have been disrespecting the Speaker everyday by hurling slogans and tearing away the papers and pointing placards at his face. They have been deliberately insulting the Speaker who represents the backward classes. They are being puppeteered by Chandrababu Naidu. This is not an attack on me but on the entire Dalit community and we will protest against it with all our night.”

 

Narrating the turn of events, he said, “When the TDP MLA Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy tried to attack the Speaker, Eliza tried to protect the Speaker by holding his hand but he was pushed aside by the unruly TDP MLAs. Then I went to the podium to protect Eliza but upper caste TDP MLA B. Ashok abused me and pushed me aside, hurting my elbow.”

 

He further appealed to the Speaker to examine the video footage and take action against the perpetrators and provide protection to the ruling party MLAs.

 

Deputy Chief Minister Narayana Swamy blamed TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu for provoking clashes among the SC and BC community. “It has become a routine affair for the Opposition leader to make BCs and SCs utter abusive remarks on their own community for political gains,” he rued. Slamming the TDP for making abusive remarks against him, he urged the Legislative Assembly Speaker T Seetaram to register cases against the TDP members and impose severe punishment on them.

 

YSRCP MLA, K Jogulu expressed his concerns, “It’s not correct on part of the Opposition to resort to such activities in the Assembly. Clear visuals are available where TDP leaders can be seen attacking the Speaker. Action should be initiated against the accused leaders. Culprits should be punished to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents in Assembly,” he said.