Speaker, Minister regret remarks against Muddu

Hyderabad, July 31: Sanity returned to the State Assembly on Thursday with Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Legislative Affairs Minister K Rosaiah expressing regrets for their harsh comments against a senior member belonging to the Opposition Telugu Desam Party, G Muddukrishnama Naidu.

When the House assembled, the Speaker recalled Wednesday’s events which led to acrimonious scenes in the House and said he regretted the rude comments he had made against Opposition members. ‘‘I will control myself and I request you to cooperate with me in running the House in a proper manner,’’ the Speaker urged. Rosaiah too said he was withdrawing his remarks against Muddukrishnama Naidu. The TDP member reciprocated the gesture. The Assembly did not transact any business on Wednesday with the TDP members demanding an apology from Rosaiah for his ‘‘unparliamentary’’ remarks against Naidu.

Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy said there was nothing wrong in any member admitting a mistake and felt it was time all the 294 members, irrespective of the party they belonged to, conducted themselves in a dignified manner.

Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu complimented the Speaker for his gesture and said unsavoury incidents were taking place in the House only because of the ‘‘provocation’’ by ruling party members, including the Chief Minister.

Leaders of other parties welcomed the ‘‘truce’’ between the ruling party and the main Opposition.

–Agencies–