Hyderabad—The monsoon session of the Telangana Legislative Assembly kicked off Monday with immediate turmoil, as opposition BJP members charged into the Well of the House, shouting slogans and demanding a judicial inquiry into land deals classified as prohibited properties. The uproar forced Speaker G. Prasad Kumar to adjourn proceedings for 14 minutes, casting a shadow over the session's start.

Key facts

  • BJP members protested inclusion of lands under Section 22A of the Registration Act
  • Speaker adjourned the House for 14 minutes due to disruptions
  • Government offered to discuss the issue in the Business Advisory Committee

Context of the Controversy

The heart of the dispute lies in the inclusion of extensive land areas under Section 22A of the Registration Act, which designates them as prohibited properties—a move the BJP alleges involves irregularities. As the House assembled, BJP legislators, led by A. Maheshwar Reddy, entered the Well holding placards and intensifying their call for a sitting judge to investigate the deals.

Government's Response

Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu assured members that the government was ready for a short discussion on the matter and planned to raise it in the Business Advisory Committee meeting later that day. He expressed willingness to prioritize the issue but accused the BJP of politicizing the situation despite government assurances.

“The BJP needs to answer why the probe by CBI is not ordered?” — Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy

Political Tensions Escalate

Amid the continuing din, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy left the chamber, and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy accused the BJP of colluding with the main opposition BRS to stall a CBI probe into the Kaleshwaram project irregularities. The Speaker’s attempts to calm the situation proved futile, leading to the brief adjournment as tensions simmered.