This Kadapa Municipal Corporation general body meeting saw an extremely intense confrontation and heated arguments followed by protests. The TDP MLA of the constituency was not given a chair on the stage when the MLA attended the meeting.
She expressed her indignation at this and remarked that some such thing had occurred during the previous times.
MLA Madhavireddy strongly opposed YSRCP Mayor Suresh Babu during the meeting, as he was speaking loudly. She questioned him as to whether this type of attitude will please the leadership and further commented that he is a chicken and playing chair games fearing he might lose the post. However, even discretionary powers were misused on him insulting women.
She also mentioned the seating change, saying that the MLAs used to sit on both sides during the meetings when the YSRCP government was in power. "The absence of chairs for the MLAs is a calculated act to humiliate us," she said. She further attacked the ruling party for delaying developmental activities and silencing the discussions over corruption in the municipality.
It took the situation out of hand because MLA Madhavireddy did not sit down in the chair since there was no chair. The TDP corporators surrounded the chair of the mayor, and YSRCP corporators took a defensive position. The situation went to utter chaos by slogans and heated exchanges in the room. The situation turned into a scuffle between the two groups which further disintegrated the meeting.
The YSRCP corporators sat-in protest and sought an apology from the mayor. It resulted in chaos as no decision was made.
Mayor Suresh Babu announced suspension of seven corporators, who had switched allegiance to TDP, which had caused the ruckus. The TDP corporators demanded a similar suspension of YSRCP corporators.
Outside the municipal corporation office, protesters led by activists who support MLA Madhavireddy. They raised slogans saying "Mayor down down," demanding respect to women leaders. The police were forced to impose Section 144 in the area and put policemen on duty for security.
Conclusion
The Kadapa Municipal Corporation meeting has exposed a very deep cleavage between TDP and YSRCP, with charges of disrespect, corruption, and misused power on the forefront. This clearly brings out the necessity of mutual respect and cooperation for effective governance and development in Kadapa.
