2 YSRC MLAs suspended; House adjourned over 'call money' issue

Two members of YSR Congress were today suspended from Andhra Pradesh Assembly for two days after the Opposition party stalled the House proceedings on the issue of 'call money' racket. Speaker K Sivaprasad Rao suspended B Sivaprasad Reddy and D Ramalingeswara Rao alias Raja for two days, for obstructing the cameras meant for showing the House proceedings. Legislative Affairs Minister Y Ramakrishnudu, who moved a motion for suspension of the two members, said obstructing the cameras is against the democratic principles of letting people know the proceedings of the Legislature. The YSR Congress stalled the proceedings seeking a debate on the alleged 'call money' racket, pertaining to harassment and exploitation of borrowers by private money lenders after providing loan on call. The racket, in which names of people with political connections cropped up, came to light in Vijayawada and police conducted searches across the state on private money lenders. The Speaker rejected the adjournment motion given by YSR Congress for a debate on the issue and sought to take up scheduled debate. The YSRCP members, however, stood in the well of the House and raised slogans against the TDP government. As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned the House twice but the situation did not improve. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he would make a statement tomorrow on the 'call money' issue and sought to speak on Constitution and the contribution of B R Ambedkar to its making. The Legislative Affairs Minister attacked Opposition leader and YSRCP President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for not letting the House debate on as noble an issue as Constitution and Ambedkar. As the Opposition members continued to insist on a debate on the 'call money' issue, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.