The Telugu Desam Party is facing a serious dilemma – whether to attend or boycott the ensuing budget session of the Andhra Pradesh state assembly, because some of the MLAs are doubtful whether it will be of any use.
A serious discussion is learnt to have taken place in the party during a teleconference held by TDP president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu with his party leaders including MLAs on Thursday.
Naidu has already announced in the last assembly session that he won’t be stepping into the House for the rest of the term of the Jagan Mohan Reddy government, in protest against the alleged humiliating comments made by the YSR Congress party MLAs against him and his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari.
He declared that he would enter the assembly again only in the capacity of the chief minister, if the people bless him in the next elections. Following Naidu’s decision, all the TDP MLAs also boycotted the winter session of the assembly.
This time, it is going to be a budget session and is very important for the state in the wake of its serious financial crisis.
At the same time, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government is also contemplating the three capitals’ bill with appropriate changes, apart from many other crucial bills.
So, some senior MLAs are learnt to have suggested that it is essential that the TDP attends the assembly session to expose the government on financial issues and also resist the three capitals’ bill tooth and nail.
Some others have felt that since the YSRC has the majority both in the state assembly as well as the legislative council, the government would certainly bulldoze the bills and the discussion.
“It is for sure that the YSRC members will not allow the TDP members to raise any issue, let alone conceding its demands for discussion. The Speaker, too, will not give us a chance to speak. What is the point in attending the session for the sake of it?” a TDP MLA reportedly asked.
Naidu listened to both the versions and reportedly suggested that a final decision could be taken at the TDP legislature party meeting when the session commences.
