Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

A trip down memory lane

Special Correspondent

HONOURING SENIORS: Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy felicitating T. Lakmikanthamma, member of the first Legislative Assembly.

HYDERABAD: The ornate old hall of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly came alive on Saturday with the presence of some of the oldest members of the first House constituted in 1956 and several of their successors participating in its golden jubilee celebrations.

The advanced age of the former members did not allow them to make fiery speeches but their expression said it all. It provided them an occasion to meet some of their old friends after many years.

Festive atmosphere

A festive atmosphere pervaded the historic hall (it was originally a town hall during the Nizam's era) which was packed. The former and present MLAs of the Left parties came donning red shirts, while TDP representatives were attired in yellow and BJP floor leader G. Kishan Reddy wore a saffron scarf. Most of the aged members of the first House of the integrated Andhra Pradesh, who were honoured on the occasion, were accompanied by their family.

Former Assembly Speakers -- A. Easwara Reddy, G. Narayana Rao, P. Ramchandra Reddy, Y. Ramakrishnudu -- and several members of the first House were felicitated by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Leader of the Opposition N.Chandrababu Naidu.

Mr. Chatterjee got down the podium and walked to the seat of former legislator S. Kasi Reddy to felicitate him. Dr. Reddy also went to the seat of P. Rukmini Devi and felicitated her.

Fall in values

LaterS. Rajeswara Rao, who represented the Mulug constituency in the first House, decried the increasing role of money power and criminalisation of politics. "It was the time when MLAs used to get Rs. 150 a month as honorarium and when it was hiked to Rs. 250, Communist member Puchalapalli Sundarayya took objection saying MLAs were in the House to serve people and not to earn money."

Another veteran, Vittal Reddy who was elected from Kamareddy, lamented the decline in values. "It is anything but service to people." P. Venkataramanappa, former legislator from Gorantla, felt happy that he was able to meet two of his former colleagues.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

GO of no help to dwarfs
College students boycott classes; stage demonstration
Lack of equipment costs accident victim his life
A trip down memory lane
Lok Sabha Speaker asks youth to join politics
House pays tributes to K.R. Narayanan
TDP members not to be `provoked' in House
New lease of life for two children
TRS whips up a `truce'
Campaign on safe bio-waste disposal
YSR invites naxalites for talks
TRS boycotts jubilee fete
His happiest moment
Power cut
Around the City
In Hyderabad Today

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu