The Andhra Pradesh assembly sessions began yesterday with the swearing-in of MLAs from the ruling coalition TDP-JSP-BJP and YSR Congress. A notable moment occurred when Chandrababu Naidu extended a gesture of generosity towards Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Due to protocol, Jagan’s car was initially not allowed to enter the assembly gate, requiring him to walk like other MLAs from the outer premises. Despite being just another MLA and not the opposition leader, Jagan adhered to this rule, which he himself had enforced during his tenure as CM.
However, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu intervened to prevent Jagan from facing potential embarrassment. He allowed Jagan’s car to enter through the gate, sparing him the walk to the assembly.
In response, the YSR Congress Party (YCP) has accused Chandrababu Naidu of disrespecting Jagan by alleging that he defamed him in the assembly the previous day. The YCP claims that the tradition of allowing the opposition leader to take the oath after the CM was not followed, and instead, cabinet ministers took their oaths after the CM.
Yet, according to assembly rules, the opposition leader should take the oath after the CM. Since Jagan’s party secured only 11 seats, falling short of the 18 seats usually required for opposition status, Jagan did not qualify to take the oath after the CM.
While Chandrababu Naidu’s gesture spared Jagan from embarrassment, the YCP criticized the CM based on procedural grounds, noted a political observer.