Fake encounter: Storm in House

Hyderabad: Even as thousands of activists and Left parties members being arrested for protesting against the alleged fake encounter of two young Maoists in Warangal recently, the sensational issue raised a storm in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday with the TDP and Left parties’ members insisting that a debate on the issue be taken up immediately. However, the government tried to pacify the Opposition members by saying that all issues could be discussed in the House only after the conclusion of debate on farmers’ suicide issue.

• Legislative Affairs Minister T Harish Rao goes hammer and tongs at the Opposition members for creating ‘a needless fuss’ in the House

Intervening amid noisy scenes, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao reminded the members that they had decided to take up a thorough debate on the farmers’ issue for two days. The government was even ready to extend the session if necessary in order to discuss all other issues threadbare and the government was not intending to run away from the House, he added. With the Chief Minister’s assurance, the members remained calm and TRS member Ramalinga Reddy continued the debate on the suicides of farmers.

Later, Irrigation and Legislative Affairs Minister T Harish Rao went hammer and tongs against the Opposition members for creating a needless fuss in the House. Accusing the Opposition members of not having sympathy for farmers and only trying to politicise the farmers’ issue for narrow political ends, Harish Rao said the government was ready to give convincing replies on the issues in the House. He also observed that the people of the State were well aware of who were sympathetic towards farmers and who were trying to politicise the issue and fish in the troubled waters.

Amidst the din in the House, Harish accused the Opposition parties of lacking interest and sincerity towards the problems of the farming community. “Let’s discuss about steps to protect our farmers and dissuade them from resorting to extreme step. Otherwise, there was a possibility of farmers finding fault with them. In fact, the TDP was not interested in the welfare of the farming community. Except politicising every issue and level baseless charges against the government, the TDP is not bothered about the woes of the farmers,” he added.

At this juncture, BJP floor leader Dr Lakshman stood and said they did not table an adjournment motion on Tuesday with an intention to ensure a full debate on the farmers’ burning issue in the House. But the Legislative Affairs Minister was talking as if the Opposition was totally against the farmers’ problems, which was not proper, he said, adding that they had no intention to obstruct the House. “In fact, we wanted to ask the presiding officer as to why permission was not granted for tabling adjournment motion, but kept silent in the interest of the farmers debate,” he said.