Kadapa Municipal Meeting Turns Chaotic Over MLA’s Chair Dispute

A heated confrontation occurred during a Kadapa Municipal Corporation meeting between Mayor Suresh Babu and MLA Madhavi Reddy, creating significant turmoil. The dispute was sparked when a chair was not arranged on stage for the attending MLA, Madhavi Reddy, during the meeting. Madhavi Reddy questioned the Mayor, pointing out that under the previous government, MLAs were provided seating on stage, and criticized the absence of the same arrangement for her. She insisted she would stand until a chair was provided.

The incident escalated as TDP corporators protested near the Mayor’s podium, raising slogans. This led to a physical altercation between corporators from the ruling YSRCP and the opposition TDP, turning the session chaotic. Despite the MLA’s protests, the Mayor continued conducting the meeting, with YSRCP and TDP corporators standing in opposition on either side of the Mayor’s chair.

Amid slogans and verbal arguments, TDP corporators staged a sit-in, demanding an apology from the Mayor. YSRCP corporators responded with their own protest, urging TDP members to cease their demands. Amid the growing tension, Mayor Suresh Babu suspended seven corporators who had recently defected from YSRCP to TDP.

MLA Madhavi Reddy later strongly condemned Mayor Suresh Babu's actions, accusing him of deliberately disrespecting her as a woman leader. "This reflects YSRCP's disdain for women. The Mayor intentionally forced me to stand, believing it would please his leadership," she alleged. Madhavi Reddy also criticized the Mayor's use of discretionary powers, claiming he acted arbitrarily and irresponsibly.

The MLA further accused YSRCP of stalling discussions on corruption in municipal activities, suggesting the lack of transparency as the root cause for such disruptions. The unrest led to the imposition of Section 144 around the municipal corporation office, as police sought to control the tensions stemming from the protests by corporators from both sides.