He attended the Assembly session, signed in the attendance registrar, made his presence felt in the house and `boycotted’ the session. This is what former chief minister and YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy and his party MLAs did on Monday, breaking their `oath’ not to attend the assembly till Jagan accorded `Leader of Opposition’ status.
The way the YSRCP MLAs behaved on the first day of the budget session clearly reveals their agenda. Along with Jagan, the party MLAs also left without even staying for ten minutes during the Governor’s speech, which is understandable. Even for the short time they were in the assembly, Jaganmohan Reddy appeared impatient.
He said something to Botsa, who is the opposition leader in the council and then walked out of the assembly shortly after. They shouted slogans saying, “Since we came to the assembly, we should be recognized as the opposition.. should protect democracy.”
After walking out of the assembly, Botsa Sathyanarayana, who spoke to the media, said that the government should decide on the issue of opposition leader status as they demanded. With this, the opinion is being expressed that there is no chance of YSRCP members attending the assembly in the coming days.
Speaker Ayyannapatrudu and the ruling TDP have been saying that they will not give opposition status unless there are one-tenth of the members in the assembly. How can we give a status that the people have not given them?, they are asking. But Jagan has been making the same demand again and again knowing well there will be no remedy.
It is known that Jagan, who spoke to the media a few days ago, commented that if he asks questions in front of the media, the ruling party should answer in the assembly. By attending the assembly, he makes it clear that his intention is only to sign in the attendance register, so that to avoid possibility of his disqualification as an MLA, for not attending the session continuously for 60 days.
Now, he cannot be disqualified as an MLA for another 60 days of the assembly session. Later some time next year he may attend once again like today to avoid further scope of suspension. Instead of according `Leader of Opposition’ status, Jaganmohan Reddy is proposing another option to the government. He is asking time on par with the Chief Minister in the house to speak.
TDP senior MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy ridiculed Jagan’s attitude and said that Jagan is coming to the assembly out of fear of disqualification. He wondered how he can be provided opposition status? He said that some special law should be brought for him.
The former minister, stating that Jagan has a habit of falling at Modi’s feet, advised him that he should change the law so that he can fall at his feet and enter the assembly out of habit. Somireddy made comments saying that Jagan is showing his face in the assembly out of fear that all the affairs that happened during his tenure will come to light.
