Commotion Erupts in Telangana Assembly Following KTR's Commission Claims
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Synopsis
On March 26, the Telangana Assembly was marked by fierce disputes between the ruling Congress and the BRS after K. T. Rama Rao accused Congress members of demanding a 30% commission on government contracts, igniting a heated response from Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.
Key Takeaways
- K. T. Rama Rao alleges 30% commission on contracts.
- Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka demands retraction.
- Assembly erupts in chaos and protests.
- BRS members stage a walkout in protest.
- Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar reacts to the uproar.
Hyderabad, March 26 (NationPress) The Telangana Assembly experienced heated confrontations between the ruling Congress and the primary opposition party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), as BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao accused Congress leaders of demanding a 30 percent commission on government contracts.
Rama Rao’s assertion prompted a fierce response from Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other ruling party members, who insisted that the BRS leader retract his statement.
The conflict erupted during the discussion on the state Budget, where KTR, as he is commonly known, questioned whether it was not true that contractors had protested at the state Secretariat over being asked to pay a 20 percent commission.
The Deputy Chief Minister challenged KTR to substantiate his claims or apologize. He also warned BRS members to exercise more caution in their statements.
This remark incited significant backlash from the BRS, which deemed the Deputy CM’s comments as inappropriate, demanding both a retraction and an apology.
The Assembly was thrown into chaos, with opposition members shouting slogans and protesting vehemently.
Reacting to the Deputy CM’s comments, KTR remarked that those on the treasury benches, particularly ministers, should exhibit greater restraint, as they too could make inflammatory remarks.
The atmosphere in the House was tumultuous, with both ruling party and opposition members on their feet, vocally confronting each other.
The BRS eventually staged a walkout, and upon exiting the House, they chanted slogans in the lobbies, labeling the Congress government a ‘20-30 percent commission government’. They also sat down at the entrance to express their dissent.
Upon re-entering the Assembly, KTR stated that he has known Bhatti Vikramarka for 16 years and holds him in high regard, akin to an elder brother.
The BRS leader further commented on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy regarding his alleged involvement in the cash-for-vote scandal and reiterated his accusations about the ruling party leaders receiving commissions, which led to another uproar in the House.
Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar declared that KTR's comments would be struck from the Assembly records. When BRS members requested the removal of Congress member Adi Srinivas’ remarks, the Speaker promised to review the matter and make a decision.
