Unfazed by numbers, YSRCP reiterates demand for status of Opposition Party

YSRCP leaders Botcha Satyanarayana, Vellampalli Srinivas, Merugu Nagarjuna and Karumuru Nageswara Rao addressing the media outside Raj Bhavan in Vijayawada on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Monday reiterated its demand to be officially recognised as the Opposition Party in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, stating that it was the ‘natural choice’ to be accorded the status despite not fulfilling the requirement of winning at least 10% of seats in the House to qualify for the tag.

Speaking outside the Assembly on Monday, YSRCP leader and MLC Botcha Satyanarayana said: “There are only two wings in the House — the coalition parties on one side of the Treasury, and the opposition being the YSRCP which is the natural choice for opposition party.”  

“We expressed our concern during the Governor’s address but there was no response. A democracy cannot function without an opposition which is the voice of the people. There is no option left before the government other than to concede our demand of according Opposition Party status to YSRCP,” he maintained.

He said that the government was alerted after YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had visited the Guntur Chilli Yard to highlight the farmers’ issues. It was only after his visit that the coalition government took action but still nothing significant happened, he alleged.

“The coalition has been saying that it is speaking with the Centre on the issue, but what is the outcome? A positive outcome would be there only by persistent questioning from the Opposition,” he added.

He said that there are other major issues to be highlighted which only an opposition party can raise in the House on behalf of the people. The unfulfilled ‘Super Six’ promises of which only one-and-a-half could be implemented and how various sections are being deceived do merit a mention in the House, he claimed.  

This can be effectively done only by the Opposition and if the coalition is not following the basic democratic norms by denying our rightful share in the House, the people’s voice cannot be heard in full measure, Mr. Satyanarayana said.

Former Minster Peddireddi Ramachandara Reddy was present.