AP Assembly winter session likely to be stormy

HYDERABAD: With the determined Opposition having geared up to move a no-confidence motion against the embattled N Kiran Kumar Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh, the Winter Session of the state Legislature, beginning tomorrow, is likely to be stormy.The Legislature is meeting practically after eight months for regular business though it convened just for a day on June 4 for election of Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker.The government did away with the monsoon session, normally held in JulyAugust because of the Telangana turmoil and the crossover of Congress MLAs to the YSR Congress party.Now, the Telangana issue will continue to haunt the Congress while the principal opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is all set to move a no-trust motion against the government on the very first day of the session.The government intends to conduct the winter session from December 1 to 5 with five working days though the Opposition wants a 15-day meet.Though it may not actually pose any danger, the no-confidence motion, to be tabled on various issues, will be a major challenge for the government.On paper, the ruling Congress has sufficient numbers to prove its strength in the 294-member House (effective strength 287 following the resignation of six MLAs and death of another). However, which way the party MLAs might tilt at the crucial hour is a big question mark.For, more than 20 legislators are virtually sailing on two boats ? the Congress and the YSR Congress of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.The fence-sitters have stated their inclination to return to the Congress camp and to ensure the government doesn't fall in case of a trial of strength on floor of House.