The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Angry exchanges mar debate on Ravi's murder

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 25, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Angry exchanges mar debate on Ravi's murder

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 24. Acrimonious exchanges marred the second day's debate on the murder of the Telugu Desam MLA, Paritala Ravi, in the Assembly on Thursday, leading to the Chair expunging certain remarks made by the Leader of the Opposition, N. Chandrababu Naidu, against the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Participating in the debate, a Congress member, Shailajanath, who drew applause from his party colleagues for the way he put forward his views, contended that it was the Telugu Desam's failure in checking faction violence and encouraging those with criminal record during its nine-year rule that led to the murder of Ravi. "It should own moral responsibility for the murder," he asserted.

Taking exception, Mr. Naidu said that it was unfortunate that the Congress was making it out as if the Telugu Desam was behind the killing of its own legislator. There could not be a more imaginary allegation than this. Even as Congress members protested, he made a remark against the Chief Minister.

The Congress members demanded that Mr. Naidu be made to withdraw his remarks. N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Government Chief Whip, hurled a counter charge involving Mr. Naidu. TDP members protested noisily.

Faction background

The Legislative Affairs Minister K. Rosaiah, too demanded withdrawal of the remarks. With Mr. Naidu maintaining silence, the panel Speaker, C. Narsi Reddy, announced that the remarks would be expunged.

Continuing, Mr. Shailajanath alleged that Ravi was used as a pawn by the TDP to retain political power.

The TDP was only eulogising Ravi but not looking into his faction background, the past killings and a number of missing cases in the district.

D. K. Aruna (Samajwadi Party) condemned the killing and suggested that all those with faction background be kept out of political parties.

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