The state’s bifurcation process has strong cricket links thanks to ex-cricketer Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. The Chief Minister had earlier said, “Only after the ball has been bowled will we decide what shot to play. If anyone decides to play a shot for a six or a four before the ball is bowled, he may get out on hit wicket.”
The Chief Minister recently bowled a bouncer to minister from Telangana D. Sridhar Babu by taking away his legislative affairs portfolio. While Seemandhra MLAs said that the Chief Minister had bowled a bouncer at the right time, Telangana MLAs said that the CM’s bouncer was actually a “no ball” as it would not stop the formation of the Telangana state.
Next: If Siva does a Vemana...
If Siva does a Vemana...
Telugu Desam Lok Sabha member N. Siva Prasad has caught everyone’s attention both inside Parliament and outside. A film actor before taking the plunge into politics, the Chittoor MP has played Narada, Lord Krishna, a Harikatha performer and a widower in protest against the Centre’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.
At a recent TD function attended by party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu in Tirupati, he enacted the popular skit of Aparichitudu, a split personality character played by hero Vikram. Naidu thoroughly enjoying the skit and encouraged the MP to continue with his novel protest despite his acts coming under criticism for lowering the dignity of his position.
But, the “Telugu Tammullu” have of late been afraid of the MP turning “Yogi Vemana” whose only known attire to the world was that of the king in the world famous tale of the King’s New Clothes.
Next: Naidu has a babu problem
Naidu has a babu problem
The famous Telugu film song Anukunnadokkati, Ayyindokkati (based on man proposes, God disposes), aptly describes Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s position. He brought in several bureaucrats into the party thinking that they would assist him in running the party efficiently.
He wanted to utilise their expertise in picking up the right candidates but he never expected that they would become contenders for tickets. Rumour has it that V.V. Lakshminarayana is eyeing the Hindupur Lok Sabha or Puttaparthi Assembly seat though both are represented by TD veterans. P. Krishnaiah, another retired bureaucrat, wants the Kovur Assembly segment while a serving police officer taking care of Naidu’s security matters has pitched in for the Bapatla Lok Sabha segment.
Next: T with Naxals much better!
T with Naxals much better!
Are Naxalites better than Seemandhra leaders? The Telangana MLAs think so. During a recent discussion in the Congress Legislature party between Seemandhra MLA J.C. Diwakar Reddy and former Telangana MLC R. Venkatram Reddy, Diwakar was of the opinion that Andhra Pradesh was better off united else Naxalites would end up ruling the Telangana state.
To this the Telangana Congress leader said that Naxalites were preferable to Seemandhra rulers. When Diwakar said that the Rayalaseema region would face problems if there was a division, Venkatram pointed out that there had been several chief ministers from Rayalaseema including the present one. If they could not develop their own region, how could they be expected to develop Telangana? Naxalites were thus better than Seemandhra rulers, he declared.
Next: Tough test indeed
Tough test indeed
The first-time aspirants of the conferred IAS posts may accept losing out with grace if they don’t make it to the top six thanks to the rigorous selection process adopted this time. The committee consisting of the UPSC chairman, chief secretary and special secretary of planning is set to choose the best among equals through a rigorous interview process.
Earlier, selection had been a mere formality with the UPSC recommending officers chosen by the political bosses. This time though, the interviews were so detailed and lengthy that the committee could cover the formality for only half the aspirants while the rest will be taken up in the third week of January.
Next: Bhatti is Ram Pyari'
Bhatti is Ram Pyari
Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has a habit of chewing Ram Pyari paan. Recently when primary education minister S. Sailajanath asked what he was chewing, a Telangana MLA intervened and said that Bhatti had started the habit of carrying Ram Pyari paan after the Congress high command took the decision to bifurcate the state.
Since Seemandhra leaders have been demanding that temple town Bhadrachalam in Khammam district should be included in the Seemandhra state, Bhatti, who hails from Khammam district, has been carrying ‘Ram” in his pocket to ward off the Seemandhra leaders’ demands.
