E-Paper
Andhra special package: TDP MP dresses up as Lord Venkateswara outside Parliament to ‘warn’ govt
Dr N Sivaprasad said PM Narendra Modi promised the people of Andhra Pradesh many things in front of gods but has not delivered them, as he chanted and pierced a lemon with his sword.
It was an unlikely time and place for a performance.
Telugu Desam Party’s member of Parliament Dr N Sivaprasad on Friday came dressed as Lord Venkateswara to “warn” the central government about the consequences of not fulfilling the promises made to Andhra Pradesh in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.
Sivaprasad, who was accompanied by his party colleagues, brandished a sword and whip and muttered chants drawing crowds near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Parliament precincts.
The actor-turned-politician said Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised the people of the state many things in front of gods but has not delivered them as he chanted and pierced a lemon with his sword.
“Even now when we are pressing (for our demands), they are not giving specific answers and are neglecting us. Our tolerance has run out now. Great Modi has announced (made promises) in presence of Lord Venkateswara, who is in me today and has come in search of him (to look for answers),” Sivaprasad said.
The TDP, an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has been protesting in and out of Parliament demanding for a special status to Andhra Pradesh and other financial benefits to the state.
The first half of the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned for the second day on Friday after TDP legislators raised placards and slogans in the House as they put forward their demands.
This is not the first time that Sivaprasad has grabbed eyeballs. He came to Parliament dressed in half-black and half-white, ostensibly to represent black and white currency, in 2016 after Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes were demonetised.
