The political furore over AP CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy's personal remarks against N Chandrababu Naidu rocked the state assembly for the second day on Tuesday.
HYDERABAD: The political furore over Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy's personal remarks against TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu rocked the state assembly for the second day on Tuesday, leading to suspension of 34 TDP members for the day after they stalled the proceedings demanding Chief Minister's apology.
A combative Opposition kept up the pressure and insisted on withdrawal of the remarks made by Reddy on Monday in the midst of frayed tempers over the alleged illegal mining activity in Anantapur district by a company owned by Chief Minister's family friend and Karnataka MLC, G Janardhan Reddy.
As soon as the House assembled for the day, the slogan-shouting TDP members stormed the podium and squatted there. Speaker KR Suresh Reddy said the matter would be taken up for discussion after the Question Hour and repeatedly appealed to the agitated members to resume their seats.
Amidst the din, the Speaker initially adjourned the House for 10 minutes. However, the furore showed no signs of subsiding when the House re-assembled with the Opposition members refusing to budge from their position.
Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy then moved a resolution, under rule 340, seeking suspension of 34 TDP members for the day including its deputy floor leaders T Devender Goud and N Janardhan Reddy. Naidu was not present in the House.
Soon after the TDP members left the House, the Chief Minister got up and made it clear that there was nothing wrong in the remarks made on Monday.
"I did not denigrate Naidu's mother nor did I make any derogatory reference to mothers in general. I have great respect and regard for mothers. The TDP leaders are deliberately twisting my remarks," Reddy said.
During the course of giving clarification on the mining issue, the Chief Minister had on Monday made a direct attack on Naidu and said, "I will expose you in such a way that you will regret having born to your mother".
Asserting that he still stood by his statement, he said his remarks were sought to be distorted by the Opposition to tarnish his image.
This is yet another instance of their campaign to mislead people, he said and sought to turn the tables on Naidu saying he had made highly objectionable gesticulations at the Chair on Monday after being suspended from the House for obstructing the proceedings.
The Chief Minister also took objection to TDP members beating up marshals, damaging the mikes and curtains after their suspension. "Is this not rowdyism?," Reddy wondered.
Meanwhile, the entire Opposition CPI, CPI-M, TRS and BJP, came in support of TDP and condemned the Chief Minister's outbursts against Naidu. The issue had set off uproarious scenes in the House yesterday, leading to suspension of 13 TDP members.
"It amounts to insulting mothers. We all adore our mothers," the former Chief Minister said. Outside the House, the TDP activists took to streets across the state and burnt Chief Minister's effigy to protest against the attack on their leader.
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