TDP insists on YSV's head even after apologies

Not content with the apology issued by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Agriculture Minister YS Vivekananda Reddy, Telugu Desam Party president and Leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday made it clear that his party would boycott the Assembly sessions unless and until YSV is dismissed from the Cabinet.

Mr Naidu gave his opinion to Minister for Legislative Affairs D Sridhar Babu and government Chief Whip Bhatti Vikramarka when they met him over the incident in which TDP Member Chintamaneni Prabhakar came under attack by Congress Members headed by the Agriculture Minister.

Earlier, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed his apology to the House over the ‘incident’ in which Agriculture Minister YS Vivekananda Reddy was involved.

Clarifying, the Chief Minister said that the incident was unfortunate and said that they could not bear any denigration or comments made against former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Chief Minister also said that the opposition could pass any allegations or comments against the government but not those who passed away.

Agriculture Minister and brother of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, YS Vivekananda Reddy could not suppress his emotions when his brother came under attack by

the opposition. The Chief Minister clarified that such uncontrolled feelings (by YSV ) surfaced when personal and derogatory comments were made against YSR.

Stating that they would not criticize NTR, the Chief Minister similarly asked the opposition to refrain from criticizing former chief minister YSR.

The Chief Minister also categorically stated that his government was abiding the policies of YSR and appealed to the House that all the Members were expected to behave in such a manner as to enhance the credibility of the Assembly.

The angry TDP chief, replying to Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy’s statement, said that it was their right to criticize anybody and even the public could do it on any specific issue. Mr Naidu challenged the Treasury Benches to form a JLC and face the probe.

What the opposition demanded was a JLC enquiry and that they did not criticize any leader, he clarified.

He expressed his regrets over the incident in which his colleague Chintamaneni Prabhakar came under attack by the ruling party Legislators and the Minister for demanding a JLC probe on prime land deals.

Earlier, as the evening Session began, the Minister YSV tendered his apology and said that he could not tolerate aspersions cast against his brother and the Congress party.

Not satisfied with his reply the TDP members protested again over the incident.

TDP Member Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu, speaking on the incident questioned whether corruption would end if a corrupt person died.

Stating that photos of Mr Chandrababu Naidu and NTR were displayed in the House earlier, he wondered why this was not condemned.

It was not reasonable for YSV to speak in praise of YSR instead of feeling sorry for his behaviour, Mr Muddukrishnama Naidu argued.

The TDP Members pointed out that they had been fighting against the Congress corruption for the last five years.

Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar tried to pacify and control the Members as to proceed further to take up more business.

The violent scenes in which both the ruling Congress Members and that of TDP were involved were embargoed for telecast.