Call money scandal rocked the Andhra Pradesh legislative Assembly on the first day of the Winter Session on Thursday in Hyderabad as the Opposition YSR Congress members stalled the proceedings demanding an immediate discussion on the issue.
The members led by leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy pressed an adjournment motion demanding a debate alleging that ruling Telugu Desam Party leaders were involved in the scandal of sexual exploitation of women who had defaulted the repayment of loans borrowed from private money lenders on exorbitant rates of interest.
Two MlAs of YSRCP B Sivaprasad Reddy and D Ramalingeshwara Rao were suspended from the House by Speaker D Sivaprasad Rao after they obstructed the cameras showing the proceedings of the House. When despite repeated pleas of the Speaker, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu, the Opposition members did not budge from their protests the House was adjourned till Friday without transacting any business.
Ramakrishnudu announced that the call money issue will be discussed by the House on Friday. This came even as the Andhra Pradesh police are carrying out the raids in the districts of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasham. In view of the raging controversy, the State Government has already arrested more than 80 people involved in money lending business and facing the allegations of blackmailing the borrowers and pushing some of their women victims in flesh trade.
Meanwhile, Vijaywada city Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang has returned to his duty cancelling his 15-day leave. Sawang who had planned to go on a private visit to Australia has cancelled his leave following an uproar and allegation that the State Government had sent him on leave to cover up the scandal.