AP Assembly session opens amid protests

YSRCP walks out in 11 minutes

The budget session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly commenced on Wednesday on a stormy note, marked by noisy protests from YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) legislators and a dramatic walkout shortly after Governor S. Abdul Nazeer began his customary address to the joint session.

Governor Nazeer formally inaugurated the session by addressing both Houses of the Legislature. However, the proceedings were disrupted almost immediately as YSRCP MLAs and MLCs, led by party chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, arrived at the Assembly holding placards and banners demanding recognition as the official opposition.

Shouting slogans against the ruling coalition government, the opposition members marched into the Assembly through Gate No. 4, raising demands for the implementation of “Super Six” welfare promises and the release of unemployment allowance. They also called for scrapping the Public-Private Partnership model in medical colleges and urged the government to maintain law and order in the state.

As the Governor began his speech, YSRCP members repeatedly interrupted, raising slogans and attempting to stall the address. The protest peaked within minutes, and barely 11 minutes into the session, the entire YSRCP contingent boycotted the Governor’s speech and walked out of the House.

Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu later made light of the episode. Speaking to media persons in the Assembly lobby, he remarked humorously that “on the 11th day, 11 members stayed for just 11 minutes.” He advised legislators to respect parliamentary traditions and participate constructively in House proceedings.

In a significant administrative reform, Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu announced that digital attendance would henceforth be mandatory for all Assembly members. The move aims to ensure accountability and prevent the practice of legislators marking attendance without participating in proceedings.

Under the new system, attendance will be recorded using facial recognition technology. Members will have to be physically present in their allotted seats inside the House for their attendance to be registered. Signatures in the traditional attendance register will no longer be considered valid. The decision was prompted by instances of YSRCP members signing the attendance register and leaving without attending the session. The digital system will not only record presence but also monitor how long a member remains inside the House.