BRS MLCs suspended amid uproar over mining row in Council

The Telangana Legislative Council witnessed high drama as BRS MLCs were suspended for the day following protests over alleged mining irregularities linked to Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. The legislators later staged demonstrations and were detained by police.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Legislative Council witnessed high drama on Monday as Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy suspended BRS MLCs for the day following unruly protests over alleged mining irregularities linked to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

The confrontation began with BRS MLCs taking out a protest rally from Telangana Martyrs’ Memorial at Gun Park to the Legislative Council, raising slogans demanding the Minister’s dismissal and a probe into alleged irregularities involving Raghava Constructions. Carrying placards reading “Save Democracy” and “Ponguleti Must Resign,” they sought the constitution of a House Committee or an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge.

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As they attempted to enter the Council premises with placards, marshals intervened and restrained them, leading to a brief scuffle. Despite repeated warnings, the members continued their protest.

Inside the House, the situation escalated soon after proceedings began. BRS members rushed towards the podium, raising slogans and pressing for an adjournment motion to discuss the issue. They reiterated demands for a House Committee probe and the Minister’s removal from the Cabinet.

With the House thrown into disorder and appeals for restraint ignored, the Chairman invoked rules to suspend the protesting MLCs for the remainder of the day. Marshals then escorted them out, following which the House was briefly adjourned.

As the suspended MLCs continued their protests outside the Council Hall, the police were deployed in large numbers where the legislators were detained and shifted them to Telangana Bhavan in buses.

Meanwhile, a BRS legislators delegation led by the party working president KT Rama Rao is scheduled to meet Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhavan this afternoon. They will submit a representation regarding alleged irregularities and illegal activities of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and seek necessary action.