The BJP’s southern ally, Telugu Desam Party, and the Opposition Congress came together to demand complete implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and urged the Centre to keep its promises on a special economic package.
MPs from both the parties stormed to the Well of the Rajya Sabha, raising similar slogans. The Chair invoked Section 255 of the Rule Book and ordered the watch-and-ward staff to remove the protesting members. During Zero Hour, Congress member KVP Ramachandra Rao left the House as soon as the rule was invoked. Due to disruptions by the TDP’s CM Ramesh, G Mohan Rao and T Seetharamalakshmi the discussion on Budget could not begin.
Rao stormed to the Well holding a placard that read “Help Fight For Justice to Andhra Pradesh”. He stood in front of Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu’s chair. Repeated requests by Naidu that Rao should go back to his seat did not yield any result. Naidu asked Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to dissuade Rao from disturbing the proceedings. However, Azad said his party does not approve Rao’s actions. Naidu then invoked Rule 255 directed Rao to either go back to his seat or withdraw from the proceedings of the House for the rest of the day.
Similar scenes repeated soon after the voting on the motion to thank President for his address to both the Houses of Parliament. TDP members started protest and Congress members Renuka Chowdhury and T Subbarami Reddy joined them. Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien invoked Rule 255 against the TDP members and asked the House staff to remove them from the Well.