In Vijayawada, the Andhra Pradesh Legislature session began amidst turmoil on Monday as the YSRC, the opposition party, protested vigorously both inside and outside the House. They criticized the TDP-led NDA government for alleged failures in maintaining law and order in the state.
As Governor S Abdul Nazeer started his address to the joint session, YSRC MLAs and MLCs stormed into the Well, chanting slogans against attacks on YSRC activists. Despite the Governor continuing his speech, the YSRC members persisted with placards and slogans before eventually walking out of the House.
Earlier in the day, tensions escalated outside the Assembly when police blocked YSRC legislators from entering while wearing black scarves and carrying placards. The police forcefully took away and tore the placards and papers held by the YSRC members. Jagan confronted the police, questioning their actions and authority.
Expressing strong displeasure, Jagan criticized the police for what he called 'highhandedness' and warned them that their behavior against democracy would not go unchallenged. He singled out a police officer, Madhusudhan Rao, emphasizing that their actions would have consequences, reminding them that their role was to protect democracy, not undermine it. Jagan also questioned the symbolism of lions on police caps, meant to signify protection of democracy, yet seemingly contradicting their recent actions.
Later, Jagan criticized the TDP-led NDA government, accusing it of failing in its duties within its first 50 days in power. He highlighted issues such as the collapse of law and order, public fear, and the government's inability to present a full budget, relying instead on a vote-on-account for seven months. He accused the government of creating chaos to evade scrutiny and using violence to suppress opposition voices.
Regarding their status in the Assembly, Jagan asserted that YSRC should be recognized as the opposition, which the government was allegedly reluctant to acknowledge. He pointed out that recognition would grant them the right to speak in the Assembly, something the government seemed intent on avoiding.
Jagan concluded with a warning that the government's actions were akin to undermining democracy, drawing parallels to historical figures like Shishupala, implying that accountability would eventually catch up with them.