Date:20/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/20/stories/2005042012850400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Former MLA takes on top brass

Staff Reporter

WHAT IS THIS?: The former MLA, Kamalamma, arguing with the Tungaturthy MLA, Damodar Reddy, at the general body meeting of the Congress in Nalgonda on Tuesday.

NALGONDA: Former MLA Musapet Kamalamma created a flutter at the Congress' general body meeting here on Tuesday by picking a quarrel with senior leaders. She did not spare even the Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy.

Ms. Kamalamma shouted at the leaders on the dais when her request that she be given a chance to speak was ignored. She waited for her turn at the microphone for a long time but the DCC president, Mallesh Goud, did not oblige her.

She then rushed towards the Tungaturthy MLA, Damodar Reddy, protesting against "the humiliation" being meted out to her. The police had to intervene to control her when she picked an argument with the Home Minister.

A police team led by the ASP, Krishna Swami, prevented her from coming close to the microphone. A couple of plainclothes policemen restricted Ms. Kamalamma's movements on the dais.

To approach YSR

Ms. Kamalamma, who hit the headlines by defeating the veteran Communist leader, Narra Raghava Reddy, in the 1972 elections, told reporters later that she was humiliated by the leaders. "The persons who make bombs and indulge in corruption have become leaders. It is very unfortunate,'' she said, adding that she would take up the issue with the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.