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Journalism of Courage
Under attack from Opposition for his stinging personal criticism of TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Tuesday tendered an unconditional apology for the outburst.
“I did not not mean to denigrate Naidu’s mother… if he is hurt by my remarks yesterday, I tender an unconditional apology,” he said, wrapping up his reply to an acrimonious debate in the Assembly over the alleged illegal mining in Anantapur district. Naidu, who said he was humiliated by Reddy with his remarks, decided not to attend the House for three days, while his party members were also not present, as they were suspended earlier in the day for obstruction of proceedings.
On Monday, in the course of his clarification on the mining issue, Reddy had said, “I will expose you (Naidu) in such a way that you will regret having been born to your mother.”
The remarks had triggered a political storm with the TDP staging demonstrations across the state while the other Opposition parties joined the chorus of demand for Chief Minister’s apology.
For the second consecutive day on Tuesday, the Assembly plunged into pandemonium over the issue with the TDP members stalling the business, leading to suspension of 34 of their members.
The Chief Minister also agreed to a visit by an all-party delegation to the iron ore mine site at Obulapuram amidst allegation that a private company, owned by Reddy’s friend and Karnataka MLC G Janardhan Reddy, was indulging in illegal mining activity.
