Breach of privilege in inviting Jagan for bhumi puja

Taking strong objection to the way TDP Government has invited Leader of Opposition YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to the bhumi puja of the capital city at the last minute through a messenger, YSR Congress has said it is matter which attracts the provisions of breach of privileges.

"The bhumi puja to the capital city is a historic and important event in the annals of the State and the involvement of all sections in an event of such a magnitude is mandatory on part of the State Government and TDP reducing it to a domestic affair is high objectionable," Deputy Floor leader Jyothula Nehru told reporters on Saturday.

Though the muhurat was fixed well in advance, the invitation being sent through a messenger on Friday evening. This shows the vicious intentions of the TDP and courtesy demands that the Chief Minister himself should personally call the Leader of Opposition, who holds the rank of a cabinet minister, and invite him to the event, Nehru said.

"When there is no proper invite to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, it tantamount to breach of privilege and in my personal capacity I will move a privilege motion for this deliberate move of ignoring the Leader of Opposition during such an important development concerning the capital city," he said.

"Though I am the Deputy Floor Leader, I did not get an invite and the function is being held like a family affair which is not acceptable and it seems the TDP Government does not want the Opposition members to be part of the programme," he said.

On the ensuing elections for the MLC seats, he said that the old method of a single notification should be followed to enable the MLAs to cast preferential votes as per the established norms instead of the proposal to give separate notifications.

"We will field candidates where we have strength and expect the same from TDP instead of poaching which will lead to horse trading. The issue turns serious as far as Krishna and Visakhapatnam districts are concerned.

With the recent episode of arrest of TDP MLA Revanth Reddy during the MLC elections in Telangana state, it is fair, if we usher in a healthy atmosphere of  fielding candidates in proportion to our respective strengths," he said.

We have already given a representation to the Election Commission and had moved the court on the issue, he added.