Hyderabad: The ruling Telugu Desam and Opposition YSR Congress legislators almost came to blows on Friday at the AP Assembly after labour minister K. Atchannaidu remarked that even courts had called Opposition leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy a “thief”.

Amid protests by YSRC legislators, TD legislator V. Ramakrishna Babu and YSRC legislator R. Siva Prasada Reddy angrily marched towards each other. Legislators from both sides joined them, leading to heated exchanges. The ruckus continued even after the House was adjourned for 10 minutes by deputy Speaker Mandali Budha Prasad.

Disruptions in the Assembly began during discussions after government whip K. Ravi Kumar demanded that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy apologise for calling those affected by Cyclone Hudhud, “dogs.”

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“Jagan is only a part-time politician. He compared people affected by the cyclone with dogs. He is like a robot,” Mr Ravi Kumar said. In turn, the YSRC chief slammed the TD, saying that it was the government that had treated the victims like dogs.

“Don’t you remember how your government threw essential food items at the victims? Couldn’t you have supplied food house to house?” he questioned. At this point, Mr Atchannaidu said, “We can’t fight nature, but our government reduced the loss of life. I am ashamed to be in this House. The Leader of Opposition is an accused. Even courts have termed him a thief and summoned him despite Assembly being in session.” His remarks provoked an uproar from YSRC MLAs.

Though the deputy Speaker said objectionable remarks would be expunged from the records after examination, the Opposition didn’t relent. TD legislator V. Ramakrishna Babu and YSRC’s R. Siva Prasada Reddy were engaged in a heated exchange in the well of the House. They were joined by Kodali Srivenkateswara Rao and G. Butchaiah Chowdary from either side following which all legislators trooped into the well. The deputy Speaker adjourned the House.