The TDP, which is a member of the ruling NDA coalition, even went to the extent of stalling Parliament Members of the two parties continued to chant slogans throughout the Question Hour
Ahead of the opposition-sponsored Andhra Pradesh bandh today, TDP members raised their voice against the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding special category status for the truncated Telugu state.
The party, which is opposed to the opposition-sponsored bandh in the state, tried to steal the thunder by raising the special category status issue in Lok Sabha yesterday.
Surprisingly, the TDP, which is a member of the ruling coalition at the centre even went to the extent of stalling the house, demanding the centre's response on the long pending issue of special category status.
Worsening the situation in the House, the YSR Congress also rushed into the well, shouting slogans against the centre's decision not to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
Even though the Andhra parties looked united, YSR Congress was critical of the TDP's stand on the opposition-sponsored Andhra Pradesh bandh today.
As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled for the day, members of YSR Congress trooped into the Well of the House, holding placards and chanting slogans, demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh.
TDP, a partner in the government, also stood in the aisles with larger placards and raising similar slogans, even though they opposed each other's stand on the subject.
While YSR Congress succeeded in mustering the support of all political parties in the state for its bandh call, chief minister Naidu opposed the bandh, saying it would not serve any purpose.
Naidu asked his MPs to stage a token demonstration outside the house and raise the matter without rushing into the Well.
Notwithstanding the repeated reminders from the chair that placards are not allowed, members of the two parties continued to display them while chanting slogans throughout the Question Hour. They kept sloganeering into in the Zero Hour as well.
Though it had earlier taken the stand that the special category status was not a 'sanjeevani' for all ills of the state, the TDP is forced to raise its voice in the backdrop of the opposition's united call for a bandh today.
The united bandh call is a rare chance for opposition parties to flex their muscles against the TDP, which has made them redundant the state.
Naidu's stand on the special category status is, in fact, helping opposition parties forge a larger coalition against the TDP-BJP combine in the state.
This is evident in the eagerness of the Left and the Congress in extending support to the YSRC-sponsored state bandh.
