Amaravati: State witnessed a heated exchange as Andhra Pradesh Finance and Legislative Affairs Minister, Payyavula Keshav, asserted that YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy is not the Leader of the Opposition, but merely the floor leader of his party. This statement came in response to Jagan’s letter to Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu, disputing the necessity of holding 10 percent of the seats to claim opposition status.
Speaking to the media in Amaravati, Keshav clarified that current rules do not support Jagan’s claim to opposition status, suggesting it might take him a decade to achieve it. He drew parallels to a similar situation in Telangana, where KCR, an ally of Jagan, did not grant the Congress opposition status in the Assembly.
Keshav accused Jagan of attempting to intimidate the Speaker with his letter, claiming it was his right to be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition. He emphasized the importance of understanding the electoral verdict and respecting the established rules. “The ruling party has responded with due decorum, taking the oath alongside ministers,” Keshav remarked, urging Jagan to familiarize himself with legislative norms practiced across the country.
He suggested Jagan might be acting on ill-advised counsel and warned that following such advice could be detrimental. Keshav recommended that Jagan and his advisors read “Kaul and Shakdar,” a comprehensive guide on legislative procedures, to gain a clearer understanding of the assembly rules.
This controversy underscores the ongoing power struggles within Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape, highlighting the complexities of legislative procedures and the significance of adhering to established norms.
