Jagan's inexperience comes to the fore

The 15-day budget session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly concluded on Saturday without any tangible inputs from the only Opposition party, the YSR Congress, owing to the questionable stand taken by its leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on several important issues, including that of the new capital.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party, with the vastly experienced N Chandrababu Naidu at the helm, took more than what was anticipated from the session as the young leader of opposition failed to initiate a meaningful discussion on issues like farm loan waiver, Dwacra loan waiver, student fee reimbursement, selection of capital, Sivaramakrishnan committee report and the resolution on backward classes.

Jagan adopted a combative approach in opposing Vijayawada as the capital, though his party has good cadre support in the delta region. 

While opposing Vijayawada, he was unable to spell out his choice when Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu challenged him on the floor to spell out the opposition’s choice of capital. 

“Naidu got what he wanted by bullying an inexperienced Jagan,” said actor-turned-politician K Chiranjeevi of the Congress, adding that an experienced Congress would have forced the government for a thorough discussion on the issue.

A foxy Naidu also browbeat Jagan by leaking information to the press that the statement on capital will be made at 12:15 pm as it was auspicious. 

Instead he read out the statement after 11:15 am as exhausted YSRC members who resorted to sloganeering against the statement stood in acceptance and the treasury benches prevailed.

On the last day of the Assembly, Jagan failed to participate in the discussion on resolution on backward classes, a favourite subject of Naidu. 

Jagan not only arrived late, but also cast aspersions on Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, alleging partisan attitude without checking facts. 

“Is this a house of humans? This is the house of Kouravas,” he argued, forgetting the fact that the deputy floor leader of his party had given a list of names for discussion but failed to mention the name of the leader.

“I have been scanning every face as the discussion was going on but I might have missed you. But as a general practice your partymen could have reminded me about you and I would have given you a chance,” Rao observed, warning Jagan not to drag the Speaker into the muddle. 

Rao also highlighted the fact that the YSR Congress Legislature Party had handed over the list of speakers confirming that the Assembly secretary has informed the party of the resolution to be tabled on the floor of the house even before the house commenced. Jagan was arguing that his party was not aware of the resolution.

“It is funny that the leader comes late after the resolution on backward classes was passed. He could have raised the issue during discussion on the Appropriation Bill. This is what happens if one misses the training classes organised by the Speaker before the first session of the Assembly,” said Finance and Assembly Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, rubbing salt on Jagan’s wounds. 

Finally, the bill was passed without Jagan’s participation and the Speaker adjourned the house sine die.