<p>The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh survived a no-confidence motion on Saturday, with 142 MLAs backing the crisis-laden government. While 58 legislators voted in favour of the TRS-sponsored motion, 64 remained neutral and 25 were absent.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The voting laid bare the fact that the government no longer commanded a simple majority in the 294-member House. Its survival can be attributed to the TDP and MIM’s decision to abstain from voting. <br /><br />However, a few dissident Congress and TDP MLAs voted in favour of the motion introduced by TRS leader Eetela Rajendra. <br /><br />With Saturday’s voting, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy survived the second no-confidence motion of his political career. <br /><br />Nine Congress members - Ranga Rao, Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar Reddy, Aalla Nani, Perni Nani, Rajesh, Siva Prasada Reddy, Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and Jogi Ramesh - ignored a whip to vote against the government. <br /><br />The six TDP legislators who defied party chief Chandra Babu Naidu’s direction to stay neutral were Kodali Nani, Praveen Kumar Reddy, Amaranath Reddy, Bala Nagireddy, K Vanita and Sai Raju. <br /><br />Talking to the media, TRS leaders Eetela Ravinder and Harish Rao said though the government won technically, it was a moral defeat. <br />Meanwhile, the Assembly was adjourned after the Opposition stalled proceedings over the Babli project and the Telangana issue. Speaker N Manohar adjourned the House till Monday. <br /><br />The House, which reassembled a few hours after the no-confidence motion was defeated, witnessed an uproar with the TDP and TRS members stalling the proceedings. While the TDP wanted a debate on the Babli project, being built by Maharashtra across Godavari river, the TRS insisted on passing a resolution for carving out a separate Telangana state. After the Speaker rejected the adjournment motions, the legislators rushed to the podium.<br /><br />The TDP contended that the Babli project will affect the state’s interests. Even Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy’s promise to call an all-party meeting on the issue failed to pacify the TDP members. The government rejected the TRS’ demand saying that the Telangana issue falls under the purview of the central government.<br /></p>
<p>The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh survived a no-confidence motion on Saturday, with 142 MLAs backing the crisis-laden government. While 58 legislators voted in favour of the TRS-sponsored motion, 64 remained neutral and 25 were absent.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The voting laid bare the fact that the government no longer commanded a simple majority in the 294-member House. Its survival can be attributed to the TDP and MIM’s decision to abstain from voting. <br /><br />However, a few dissident Congress and TDP MLAs voted in favour of the motion introduced by TRS leader Eetela Rajendra. <br /><br />With Saturday’s voting, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy survived the second no-confidence motion of his political career. <br /><br />Nine Congress members - Ranga Rao, Dwarampudi Chandrasekhar Reddy, Aalla Nani, Perni Nani, Rajesh, Siva Prasada Reddy, Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and Jogi Ramesh - ignored a whip to vote against the government. <br /><br />The six TDP legislators who defied party chief Chandra Babu Naidu’s direction to stay neutral were Kodali Nani, Praveen Kumar Reddy, Amaranath Reddy, Bala Nagireddy, K Vanita and Sai Raju. <br /><br />Talking to the media, TRS leaders Eetela Ravinder and Harish Rao said though the government won technically, it was a moral defeat. <br />Meanwhile, the Assembly was adjourned after the Opposition stalled proceedings over the Babli project and the Telangana issue. Speaker N Manohar adjourned the House till Monday. <br /><br />The House, which reassembled a few hours after the no-confidence motion was defeated, witnessed an uproar with the TDP and TRS members stalling the proceedings. While the TDP wanted a debate on the Babli project, being built by Maharashtra across Godavari river, the TRS insisted on passing a resolution for carving out a separate Telangana state. After the Speaker rejected the adjournment motions, the legislators rushed to the podium.<br /><br />The TDP contended that the Babli project will affect the state’s interests. Even Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy’s promise to call an all-party meeting on the issue failed to pacify the TDP members. The government rejected the TRS’ demand saying that the Telangana issue falls under the purview of the central government.<br /></p>
