Friday saw the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council plunge into repeated disruptions as members of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) vociferously demanded an immediate discussion. Their core concern? The State government’s controversial decision to privatize medical colleges through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
From the moment proceedings began, Chairman K. Moshen Raju faced intense opposition. He quickly announced the rejection of the Adjournment Motion, which had been put forth by YSRCP members Monditoka Arun Kumar, Kumbha Ravi Babu, and C. Subramanyam. This decision ignited an immediate and furious response, with Opposition members erupting in slogans against the TDP-led coalition government’s privatization agenda, throwing the entire House into disarray.
Despite the Chairman’s repeated appeals and assurances that their demands would be taken up by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), the protests continued unabated, leaving him with no choice but to briefly adjourn the session for ten minutes.
Upon reconvening after the BAC meeting, the Chairman informed the Council that the government had agreed to a brief discussion on the contentious matter. However, this concession failed to appease the YSRCP members, whose protests only escalated. They advanced towards the Chairman’s podium, chanting slogans and amplifying the disorder. The Chairman earnestly requested Leader of the Opposition Botsa Satyanarayana to permit the Question Hour to proceed and allow the Finance Minister to deliver a crucial statement on GST, reiterating that the promised discussion would indeed follow. Yet, the YCP members remained unyielding, ultimately forcing the Chairman to adjourn the House for the remainder of the day.