Political tensions between the ruling alliance and the opposition resurfaced in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council during the election of the Deputy Chairman. YSRCP MLC Thumati Madhavarao was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairman. However, the absence of alliance ministers and MLCs from the traditional ceremony to escort him to the Chair sparked sharp criticism from Legislative Council Opposition Leader Botsa Satyanarayana.
Thumati Madhavarao Elected Unanimously
Thumati Madhavarao was elected unanimously as the Deputy Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council. As per the customary practice, members from both the ruling and opposition sides traditionally escort the newly elected Deputy Chairman to the Chair and formally felicitate him.
However, alliance ministers and MLCs did not attend the ceremony. Despite Chairman Moshen Raju inviting all members to participate in the proceedings, the alliance members reportedly left the House.
YSRCP Members Escort Madhavarao to the Chair
With the ruling alliance members staying away from the ceremony, YSRCP MLCs themselves escorted Thumati Madhavarao to the Deputy Chairman’s Chair and congratulated him on his election.
Opposition members described the ruling side’s absence from the ceremony as an unusual development and a departure from the established traditions of the Legislative Council.
Botsa Satyanarayana Criticises Ruling Alliance
Botsa Satyanarayana strongly criticised the ruling alliance over the incident. He said that victories and defeats are natural in a legislative House, but parliamentary traditions and mutual respect should remain permanent.
“It is unfortunate that the ruling party did not attend the ceremony to escort the Deputy Chairman to the Chair. Nothing like this has happened in the history of the state. Even during the united Andhra Pradesh era, such an incident had never taken place,” Botsa said.
‘Follow House Traditions, Not Just Rules’
Botsa also advised ministers to respect the traditions and values of the House instead of merely quoting rule books.
“Should the Deputy Chairman not be given due respect? Showing disrespect to the Chair is not appropriate. People are watching everything,” he said.
Political Differences Resurface in Council
YSRCP leaders said that since Madhavarao was elected unanimously, the ruling side should at least have participated in the traditional ceremony of escorting him to the Chair.
The episode, which unfolded after Thumati Madhavarao assumed charge as Deputy Chairman, has once again highlighted the political differences between the ruling alliance and the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council.
