Marshals ‘Athi’ in Assembly: Lokesh Responds Swiftly

The monsoon Assembly sessions have begun in Andhra Pradesh, and the very first day turned out to be packed with discussions on several public policies. However, one untoward incident inside the Assembly caught the attention of IT Minister Lokesh.

Outside Lokesh’s chamber in the Assembly premises last evening, MLA Dhulipala Narendra was briefing the media about the day’s proceedings. During this press interaction, a group of marshals arrived at the spot and attempted to disperse the crowd. In the process, they even laid hands on MLA Narendra, which immediately provoked him and led to a heated exchange.

Witnessing the commotion outside his chamber, Lokesh quickly stepped out to assess the situation. He firmly reprimanded the marshals for their overaction and made his stand clear.

“Do you think we are still under the tyranny of the YCP government? There is no need to restrict the access of MLAs and public representatives. All you need to do is ensure that no one without a pass enters the premises. Don’t cross the line by trying to control or pacify MLAs—that’s not your job,” Lokesh told the marshals.

It may be recalled that during the previous YCP government, marshals were extensively used to physically restrict movement within the Assembly. In contrast, the present NDA government has taken a more liberal approach. Lokesh’s quick intervention and his warning to the marshals reflected this shift in Assembly practices.