Hyderabad: Proceedings at the Telangana Legislative Assembly touched a new low on Saturday as the ruling TRS, the Opposition Congress and the Telugu Desam clashed over the issue of defections during the Governor’s address to the joint session of the legislature.

Pandemonium prevailed as warring MLAs went for each other’s jugular. The House turned into a war zone on the opening day of the Budget Session as members literally came to blows and indulged in a slug-fest. All this happened in the presence of Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Speaker S. Madhusudhana Chary, Legislative Council chairman V. Swamy Goud and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Members indulged in slogan shouting and verbal abuse even when the national anthem was being played in the House. The Governor was seen advising the Opposition members to maintain calm during the National Anthem.

While Opposition members stormed to the podium alleging that the TRS was openly encouraging defections from other parties and the Speaker is not initiating any action against defectors despite repeated notices, some TRS MLAs also rushed to the podium to counter them and entered into a scuffle.