AMARAVATI: Amid sloganeering by opposition TDP members demanding the release of former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram adjourned the House briefly on Thursday.

Soon after the House proceedings began, the TDP members rushed to the podium with placards and surrounded the Speaker. There was a heated argument and exchange of words between the ruling party and opposition members.

Responding to the TDP members adjournment motion on Naidu’s arrest in connection with the Skill Development Corporation scam, Legislative Affairs Minister B Rajendranath said they can raise this topic in the business advisory council meeting.

Nearly a dozen legislators from the opposition party raised slogans standing beside the Speaker’s chair, holding black placards as TDP state president Kinjarapu Atchennaidu was watching from the well.

Following a TDP Legislature Party meeting on Wednesday, the opposition party leaders decided to attend the Assembly session.

TDP legislators vowed to fight against the alleged illegal arrest of Naidu, government ‘atrocities’, ruling party leaders’ graft and public issues both in the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly.

Suspension of MLAs

Speaker Tammineni Sitaram barred three members-two from Telugu Desam Party and one from YSR Congress-for the rest of the session, for the pandemonium created in the House.

Remaining opposition MLAs were suspended for the day for indulging in sloganeering demanding the release of Chandrababu Naidu, who is lodged in a prison in Rajamahendravaram. TDP MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna condemned the suspension of the party’s legislative members.