Comic relief in grim AP House over Telangana remarks

Hyderabad: There were some light moments amid a surcharged atmosphere in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly during the debate on draft AP Reorganisation Bill on Friday when Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's response to his stand on Telangana sparked humour among members.

CPI floor leader Gunda Mallesh's remarks about Chief Minister's stand on Telangana and the latter's response brought smiles on members' faces who otherwise remained rather tense because of the regional passions.

In fact, Speaker Nadendla Manohar was also found smiling after a long time as Mallesh spoke on the draft Bill.

"The Chief Minister always maintained he will respect his party high command's decision on creation of Telangana state but now he's opposing it," Mallesh remarked, prompting Kiran to intervene.

"Yes, I have opposed my high command's decision but that is between us. I will explain the reasons for opposing the bifurcation in detail, in the House," the CM replied.

"You claim to be a Hyderabadi but are still opposing Telangana," Mallesh pointed out.

"Yes, I was born and brought up in Hyderabad. I had my education here. I played my cricket here. I am 53-year-old now," Kiran quipped.

"I know you played your cricket here. We often meet your friends who played along with you and they wonder why you are opposing Telangana," the CPI leader remarked. He added that though the Chief Minister’s soul was with Telangana, he had set his eyes on the seat that falls in Seemandhra.

Everybody, including the Chief Minister, had a hearty laugh over that.

Next page: CM’s T stand upsets his friends

CM’s T stand upsets his friends

Earlier CPI floor leader G. Mallesh had referred to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s habit of walking in KBR Park, and said his walking companions were also upset at his stand against Telangana.