Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Council Sessions Begin Today Amid Political Face-Off

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council will begin their sessions on Monday at the Velagapudi legislature complex in Amaravati, with the proceedings expected to see sharp exchanges between the ruling coalition and the opposition.

According to a notification issued by Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Assembly proceedings will begin at 9 am, while the Legislative Council will meet from 10 am. Assembly Speaker C. Ayyanna Patrudu has directed officials to ensure smooth conduct of the sessions, with special emphasis on security arrangements.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is preparing to raise several public issues during the sessions. Party president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who met YSRCP legislators on August 12, asked MLAs and MLCs to highlight people's problems and question the coalition government over its alleged failures.

Jagan has also criticised the government's refusal to grant him Leader of Opposition status, arguing that the YSRCP is the principal opposition party and alleging that the decision was aimed at weakening the opposition's voice in the legislature.

The party plans to raise alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment, issues concerning the DSC-2025 examination and alleged irregularities in outsourcing appointments. Jagan has asked legislators to attend with detailed information and seek answers from the government.

Farmers' concerns are also expected to receive prominence, including inadequate minimum support prices, irrigation shortages and the alleged withdrawal of free crop insurance.

The Legislative Council could become a key arena for the opposition, as the YSRCP has 32 of its 58 members. The TDP has 10, independents five, nominated members six, Jana Sena two and BJP one, while two seats are vacant.

In the 175-member Assembly, the TDP has 135 MLAs, Jana Sena 21, YSRCP 11 and BJP eight.

It remains unclear whether Jagan and YSRCP MLAs will attend the Assembly proceedings, though the party's MLCs are expected to participate in the Council session. The sessions are likely to feature heated debates over governance, recruitment, farmers' issues and opposition rights.