The discussion on the no-confidence motion began in Andhra Pradesh Assembly this morning against the Council of Ministers. Moving the No-trust motion under rule 75-1 of the legislature affairs, Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the state Government has failed in resolving the problems of farmers and people of the state. He said the farmers are not even getting their investments due to the Minimum Support Price for their agriculture produce fixed by the government. Stating that the wrong policies adopted by the Government are forcing the farmers to commit suicides, he demanded the Swaminathan Committee report on Agriculture should be implemented. He alleged that the export-import policies adopted by the Central Government for commercial crops have further hampered the interests of the farming community.He further alleged that the state government has failed in controlling price rise of essential commodities which increased per capita burden due to price-rise to about 1200 rupees.AIR Correspondent reports, amidst allegations and counter allegations between treasury benches and opposition members, the discussion is continuing in the Assembly.All parties in the Assembly have issued whip to their members as every vote counts during the voting on the no trust motion which is likely to be held this evening. For Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who has been elected as the leader of the house formally by the Congress Legislature Party, this is the first occasion that he will be testing his majority on the floor of the house. The ruling Congress party has been enjoying more than simple majority officially and technically as it has 153 members in the 287 member-Assembly excluding 7 vacancies. The support of 144 members will be sufficient to achieve the magic figure for ruling party.In addition, it has the support 25 members from its allies Praja Rajyam and MIM which apparently gives more than comfortable position.At the same time, the Opposition TDP could ensure the support of a total 108 members as the Telangana Rastra Samiti, CPI, BJP, YSR Congress, CPM and few others announced that they will vote in favour of the no-trust. However, there are apprehensions in the air about the numbers as some members from the ruling party and PRP likely to violate the Whip in favour of the YSR Congress party. The number-game is yet to be fully unfolded as 17 members visibly rallied behind the only YSR Congress member Vijaya Lakshmi this morning. It will be known only in the evening that who enjoys whose support on the floor of the house.
News On AIR | December 5, 2011 2:10 PM
Discussion on no-confidence motion begins in Andhra assembly