Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao and Leader of Opposition K Jana Reddy got into a wordy duel in the Assembly on Monday when Speaker S Madhusudana Chary gave mike to Puvvada Ajay Kumar.
The House saw pandemonium when the Congress leaders, including Jana Reddy and Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka were on toes and raised objection to the Speaker giving mike to Ajay, who switched loyalties to the ruling TRS from the Opposition Congress. KTR intervened repeatedly and objected to Jana Reddy for questioning the discretionary powers of the Speaker.
The Leader of the Opposition thundered as to why KTR was frequently interrupting them from speaking in the House. “Is it deliberate attempt to stifle the Opposition voice, provoking or head strong?”, Jana Reddy expressed ire and anguish at KTR’s interference. Jana Reddy also said they are needless to stay in the House when the ruling party targets and creates hurdles.
Stating that no one can question Speaker’s discretionary powers, KTR said he did not criticize Jana Reddy personally and only cited a few examples of Congress regime. Jana Reddy requested the Speaker to inform the House on behalf of which party Ajay will speak on any issue. This prompted the minister to raise objection and took a dig at the Congress regime from 2004 to 2014.
“People elected us to power and I did not become a minister with the mercy of anyone:, KTR said, adding that the Congress was confined to Opposition status with the same mandate. Vikramarka said the Speaker can give mike to anyone. But he sought to know why Ajay Kumar was given mike which was nothing but encouraging defections. (NSS)