Andhra Pradesh Assembly to meet in century-old building

The 100-year-old Assembly building in Hyderabad, spruced and refurbished, is all set to host the first Assembly session of residuary Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, getting a much deserved lease of life after 28 years. 

Constructed by the last Nizam as a town hall in 1913, the building was hosting the Speaker’s and the Telugu Desam legislature party offices. 

It was the seat of the Hyderabad state Assembly since 1952, until it was moved to a spacious and modern facility in 1985.  Post-bifurcation, the new building has gone to Telangana, prompting the AP Assembly to gather in the old facility until a new one comes up in the yet-to-be decided capital city.  AP Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and DGP J Ramudu surveyed the progress of refurbishment work at the old Assembly building on Tuesday. Both were told to restrict the number of media persons on the gallery and the visitors as the old building is fragile. 

“The TDLP office has been converted as Chief Minister’s office and we are concerned about the congested common pathway for CM, Deputy CM, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and leader of opposition,” an officer at the Assembly said. 

The media has been requested to use the Telangana media point for sound bites until alternative arrangements. 

As planned, AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu will use Gate 2 to the Assembly premises allocated to AP, as his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao is using Gate 1. 

“Gate 1 has Telangana Assembly written on it. Hence the AP CM will enter the premises from Gate 2. The AP police will man the Assembly from inside and as the Assembly itself is located in Telangana, we have asked them to provide security from outside, AP DGP Ramudu told media.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Naidu will offer homage at the NTR Ghat near the Secretariat and proceed to the Assembly. 

After the Assembly session, he will reach AP Secretariat and is expected to address employees at 2.30pm. He will work from his Lake View Guest House for two months till his office in L Block gets ready.  

Pathivada Narayana Swamy Naidu, a seven time MLA from Nellimerla segment in Vizianagaram district, will be the pro tem Speaker. The Assembly will likely elect its speaker and deputy speaker on June 20. 

The Governor’s address is scheduled for June 21, while the Assembly session will close on June 24.