Friday, October 7 2005 20:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: The political storm over the Volkswagen car scandal found its echo in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly today (Oct 7, 2005) with the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) staging a noisy walkout, demanding dismissal of Congress Minister B Satyanarayana for his alleged role in the scam.

During the two-hour long furore on the issue, the TDP members alleged that Satyanarayana, who has since been shifted from Major Industries to Marketing portfolio, was responsible for the 'hasty transfer' of Government funds to the tune of Rs 11.7 crore in favour of a 'bogus' company claiming to represent the German car major.

Contending that continuance of Satyanarayana in the Ministry would hamper the investigations into the scandal, the TDP Deputy Floor Leader T Devender Goud demanded his dismissal and booking of criminal cases against the scamsters, including the promoters of Vashisht Wahan, which was supposed to be the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementing the proposed car project in the state.

Accusing the Congress Government of trying to shield the 'tainted minister', the Opposition members, waving placards calling for his dismissal, trooped out of the House.

Earlier, the issue triggered angry exchanges between the treasury benches and the Opposition during the Question Hour.