Chaos Erupts in Telangana Assembly

Telangana Assembly Adjourned Over Revanth Reddy’s Remarks on KTR, BRS Women MLAs

Hyderabad: The Telangana Assembly session descended into chaos on Wednesday during the budget session following remarks by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed at Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) and two women MLAs of the BRS. This led to heated exchanges, emotional outbursts, and ultimately, the session’s adjournment by the Speaker.

The incident began after KTR’s speech, during which Revanth Reddy criticized KTR for stating that the BRS would cooperate with the Congress government while the leader of the opposition, K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), was absent from the budget sessions. Reddy used a popular saying to imply that the BRS’s actions during the sessions showed a lack of genuine cooperation.

Revanth Reddy then controversially advised KTR, suggesting that if KTR believed in his “elder sisters” sitting behind him, he would end up at the Jubilee Bus Station (a reference to begging). The women he referred to were former ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy and Sunitha Laxma Reddy. This remark triggered a storm of protests from BRS MLAs, who entered the well and raised slogans against the State government.

Legislative affairs minister D. Sridhar Babu intervened, noting that the chief minister did not name any specific members while making his ‘elder sisters’ comment. The Speaker attempted to restore order and allowed Sabitha Indra Reddy to speak.

Sabitha Indra Reddy’s Emotional Outburst

In a deeply emotional response, Sabitha Indra Reddy accused Revanth Reddy of targeting her in every Assembly session. She recounted how she had encouraged Revanth to join Congress, believing in his potential to become the chief minister, and questioned why he kept targeting her. Demanding a retraction of his statements, Sabitha emphasized her long-standing support for Revanth and expressed hurt over his remarks.

BRS MLAs perceived Revanth’s comments as an insult to a woman MLA, further intensifying the uproar.

Seethakka Supports Revanth Reddy

Women and Child Welfare Minister Seethakka supported Revanth, highlighting that Sabitha and Sunitha had served as ministers in the Congress government but later switched allegiance to the BRS. She criticized Sabitha for leading a BRS delegation against Congress despite her previous loyalty to the party. Seethakka accused Sabitha of abandoning Congress at a crucial moment, adding that the chief minister’s comments stemmed from personal and political betrayal.

CM Revanth Stands His Ground

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy defended his remarks, stating that private conversations had been brought into public discourse. He reiterated his bond with Sabitha but accused her of switching sides to stay in power. Amid interruptions from BRS MLAs, Revanth announced his need to attend to the newly appointed Governor but promised to return with an elaborate explanation of his comments.

Bhatti Vikramarka’s Allegations

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka alleged that Sabitha left Congress to prevent him, a Dalit, from continuing as the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader. He recounted attempts to convince Sabitha to stay with Congress, highlighting her crucial roles and support she had received from the party.

The ensuing pandemonium led the Telangana Assembly Speaker to adjourn the house until Thursday.

BRS Leaders Demand Apology

In an emotional address to the media, Sabitha Indra Reddy condemned the chief minister’s and deputy chief minister’s remarks, stating that they applied to all women in the State. KTR accused Revanth of insulting all women of Telangana and declared him unfit to be chief minister. BRS MLA T. Harish Rao described the remarks as an insult to womanhood and accused the ruling party of stifling opposition voices. BRS leaders vowed to continue their protests until the chief minister issued an apology.

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