The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday following an uproar over several issues, after MPs from Andhra Pradesh refused to back down from their demand for special status to the state.
Other MPs also protested against the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, while MPs from Telangana demanded for increasing reservation quota in the state beyond 50%.
The TDP and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were on their feet as soon as the session began, with several members displaying placards.
Ever since the budget was announced on February 1, the Parliament has witnessed continued disruptions over the special status issue.
TDP demands Special Status
The protest was in tune with the TDP's plan, to intensify its fight over the Centre not honouring its commitments made to the state.
The TDP, a partner in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, had stalled proceedings in Parliament during the first leg of the budget session and has promised to continue the protest in the second leg, until its demands are met.
TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu earlier made it clear that there will be no compromise on the commitments made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014. In a phone call with BJP Chief Amit Shah, Naidu said that TDP's fight was not against the BJP but for justice to the state.
After the house was adjourned, TDP MPs held placards and protested in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament.
Meanwhile, TDP MP Naramalli Siva Prasad, who dressed up as a 'possessed' tantric during the previous session, dressed up as Lord Krishna on Monday, and was seen holding a flute.
Stating that the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh suffered huge loss due to the division, the TDP is urging the Centre to handhold the state till it comes up at par with other southern states.
Chittoor TDP MP N.Siva Prasad protesting outside Parliament for delay in grant of Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. No word on why he is posing as Lord Krishna to do that though..... pic.twitter.com/LVQWTUs6y8
— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) March 5, 2018
YSRCP holds 'Maha Dharna'
Meanwhile, the YSRCP held a 'Maha Dharna' at Sansad Marg in New Delhi, along with several supporters of the party, demanding that the Centre grant the Special Category Status (SCS) that was due to Andhra Pradesh.
Controversial film critic Mahesh Kathi was also seen holding a placard and participating in the ‘Maha Dharna’.
Here are some pictures from the protest.
YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy has said that his party's MPs would resign on April 6, if the Centre did not act before the deadline.
The YSRCP also said that it will move a no-confidence motion in Parliament on March 21, demanding that Andhra Pradesh be accorded special status.
“We are prepared to move the no-trust vote on March 21 to show to the nation as to who stands where on the SCS issue and how the promises made during the division of the state were simply traded for personal gains by (Chief Minister) Chandrababu Naidu. We will demand that the 22 legislators and three MPs who crossed over should resign to upkeep the value system of the democracy," Jagan had earlier said.
TRS also lashes out
Even as parties in Andhra Pradesh lashed out at the Centre, the TRS in neighbouring Telangana also took a jibe.
Taking to Twitter, Nizamabad MP K Kavitha said, "As expected, this is how both BJP and Congress misled the nation. Today in Parliament, Telangana protested on reservations issue, while Andhra protested on pending promises and TN protested on Cauvery (river) issue. We demand @narendramodi Ji to address these real issues."
As expected this is how both BJP & Congress mislead the nation. Today in parliament Telangana protested on reservations issue,Andhra protested on pending promises &TN protested on Kaveri issue. We demand @narendramodi Ji to address these real issues. https://t.co/EFJC0NvyNx
— Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) March 5, 2018
According to sources, Kavitha is expected to play a huge role in national politics, under her father's vision.
This comes a day after Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday vowed to give new direction to the country, calling for the formation of an alternative 'third front'.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan have publicly extended support to KCR.
KCR said the country needs drastic changes in its political system and amendments in its Constitution, and alleged that both BJP and Congress, who ruled for most of the time since independence, had miserably failed to address real issues of people.
Stating that federalism exists only on paper, he demanded that subjects like agriculture, health and education be transferred to the states.