The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Furore over YSR’s remark on House panels

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Furore over YSR’s remark on House panels

Special Correspondent

Naidu demands unconditional apology; floor leaders seek withdrawal of remark

Chief Minister objects to members airing views on TV
“Comment does not amount to breach of privilege”

HYDERABAD: A remark by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy that House Committees of the Assembly failed to serve the purpose as some of their members discussed the proceedings with the media, kicked off a furore in the House on Thursday.

Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded an unconditional apology from Dr. Reddy while floor leaders of all other parties sought withdrawal of the remark besides expressing concern.

Land allotment

Dr. Reddy made the comment while rejecting the demand of the Opposition for a House Committee to go into allotment of land to software companies on the outskirts of the State capital.

He said members of the committees aired their views to the “gottalu” (slang for microphones of TV channels) to score a political point.

‘No adverse comment’

In the face of criticism by Mr. Naidu and other leaders, Dr. Reddy clarified that he passed no adverse comment against the House Committees.

He only referred to members of these panels who politicised their functioning. On the other hand, he was of the opinion that truth would be unravelled if House Committees were constituted to go into controversies.

Government Chief Whip N. Kiran Kumar Reddy defended the Chief Minister stating that the latter’s comment did not attract legislative provisions on breach of privileges of members.

MIM threat

Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi stated that all the members of MIM would submit their resignations if it was proved that the land allotted to LANCO was used for development of an IT park.

He warned that the MIM would be forced to part ways with the Congress if it failed to protect Wakf property, a part of which was sold to the LANCO.

He recalled that the Congress was already deserted by the Left parties and the TRS, its erstwhile allies.

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