Hyderabad, Mar 22: Amidst high drama in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, 31 Congress and two CPI (M) members were today suspended for the day for obstructing the proceedings demanding payment of ex-gratia to farmers who committed suicide. After a 90-minute long furore over growing number of suicide by drought-hit farmers, the opposition members, including leader of the opposition Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and CPI (M) floor leader n Narasimhaiah, were suspended with marshals being summoned to evict some of the defiant members. Three television cameramen who were shooting the meelee in lobby following suspension of Congress members were allegedly roughed up by the security staff. The slogan-shouting opposition members frequently stormed the well of the House demanding payment of Rs one lakh ex-gratia on the lines of a similar move announced by neighbouring Karnakata, a demand rejected by the TDP govt. High drama soon unfolded in the inner lobbies of the assembly when suspended Congress members tried to barge into Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's chamber but the attempt was foiled by the security staff.
Bureau Report