Suspensions a blessing in disguise for oppn

Hitherto besieged, it feels rejuvenated to take battle forward

The Chief Minister, who discussed with his cabinet colleagues how to tame opposition if they create ruckus in the House, was hoping that leaders like K Jana Reddy, who were not suspended, would appeal to the chair to revoke the suspension in the next two days.

The government’s attempt to blunt the opposition attack on the issue of farmer suicides seems to be reaching a boiling point with opposition gearing up for a bigger battle. Enraged over the “dictatorial” attitude of the government to suspend the opposition members without exercising other options, the opposition parties are teaming up to take on the government.

They are contemplating to take the fight to the people’s court from Tuesday. Leaders like A Revanth Reddy, D K Aruna, K Laxman and others feel that the suspension was a blessing in disguise for them since they have been suspended for the entire remaining session. This is a strategic mistake the government has made and has given the opposition a chance to take the battle forward, they say.

At a meeting of all opposition leaders chaired by the leader of opposition K Jana Reddy on Monday, the suspended leaders are mulling to take up a joint tour of all districts and meet the families of the farmers who had committed suicide and other farmers who are debt-ridden.

Apart from trying to give confidence to farmers the opposition was united on this issue and decided to keep their political identity aside to force the government to take pro-farmer decisions like waiving off loans in one go. They also propose to meet weavers to understand their problems as well.

Despite the claims by the government that Telangana is a rich state, the opposition is wondering why the government is not coming forward to the rescue of the farmers by waiving off their loans. Instead, the state government is putting blame on the Centre that it is holding funds due to the state to the tune of Rs 8,500 crore.

This only proves the state government lacks sincerity in addressing farmers’ issues. If the fund crunch is a reality then it should have gone ahead with ambitious projects like water grid, which could have saved the government Rs 40 crore. This money could be used for save the lives of farmers, opine opposition leaders.

The Chief Minister, who discussed with his cabinet colleagues how to tame the opposition if they create ruckus in the House, was hoping that leaders like K Jana Reddy, who were not suspended, would appeal to the chair to revoke the suspension in the next two days. Then the Chair would accept the proposal and withdraw the suspension as it had happened in the past.

But the manner in which Jana Reddy reacted by staging a walkout and briefing the media that there was no question of asking the government to revoke suspension and the speed with which he chaired a meeting in Congress Legislature Party office where the proposal of taking up district tour popped up has now put the government in a fix.

Normally, when the opposition disturbs the proceedings and insists that the Speaker accept their demand, the House is adjourned for short time. Then the Speaker holds talks with floor leaders to defuse the situation. If his effort fails and the ruckus continues, the proceedings are suspended for another two or three times before finally adjourning the assembly without transacting any business.

Suspension is resorted to only in extreme cases and that too after all efforts to persuade the opposition to restore order fail. Even in such cases, suspension is either for some part of the day or at the most one day. But on Monday, the Speaker suspended the opposition for entire session and this smacks of growing intolerance on the part of the government.

By V Ramu Sarma