HYDERABAD, 12 November 2002 — Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s allegation that Congress party President Sonia Gandhi displayed a step-motherly attitude toward the southern state sparked trouble in the assembly.
Pandemonium gripped the house for half an hour as opposition leader Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy rushed toward the speaker’s podium following the remarks by the chief minister during a discussion on drought.
The Congress veteran later expressed regrets over his action.
As in the past, the first day of the 10-day session witnessed heated exchanges between Naidu and Reddy while members of the main opposition party stalled the proceedings for 40 minutes.
The trouble began when Reddy initiated the discussion on drought by launching a scathing attack on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, alleging it had failed to deal with the situation.
Naidu suddenly accused the Congress of working against the state’s interests.
“Why is the leader of the opposition showing a step motherly treatment to Andhra Pradesh while demanding central help to drought affected states ruled by the Congress?” asked Naidu.
“As leader of the opposition she should seek help for all states. Why have you not briefed your leader about the situation here?” he asked.
Naidu was referring to Sonia’s comments at Mount Abu that New Delhi was generous in providing drought relief to Andhra Pradesh because the TDP was an ally of the government but stingy in helping Congress-ruled states.
Naidu said Congress leaders in the past had made similar attempts to stop central assistance to the state. “This exposes your double standards. You say one thing in Delhi and another thing in Hyderabad,” he said.
Denying Naidu’s charges, Reddy said Sonia had personally helped families of farmers who committed suicide in Andhra Pradesh unable to bear financial losses.
“She is not showing any step-motherly treatment. She chaired a meeting which discussed the problems faced by Congress-ruled states,” he said.
He accused Naidu of making derogatory remarks about Sonia. Naidu responded that he was ready to apologize if he had made any derogatory remark.
“But I will not spare anybody damaging the interests of my state.” Reddy refused to give up. He said in Anantapur district alone 120 farmers had committed suicide last year.
