Date:14/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/14/stories/2005121410730400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Dance echo on Assembly floor

Special Correspondent

TDP chief raises Vizag hotel episode

YSR comes to Rosaiah's defence

Host and hotel management blamed for `obscene' dances

HYDERABAD : `Obscene' dances performed at a birthday party in a hotel where prominent persons of Visakhapatnam, including the son-in-law of Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, were caught during a police raid, figured in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Participating in a heated debate on power purchase agreements (PPAs), Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu charged the Minister with distorting facts and referred to the hotel episode.

YSR's contention

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy came to Mr. Rosaiah's defence and wondered how the Minister could be blamed for his relative's actions.

He said Mr. Rosaiah's son-in-law had come to the party late as he participated in the Rotary Club meeting.

The host and the hotel management should be blamed for allowing `obscene' dances.

The Chief Minister reminded the TDP that a similar incident had occurred during the Afro-Asian Games here when dancers performed at a party attended by senior bureaucrats.

He pointed out that the TDP did not hesitate to link his son Jaganmohan Reddy and Panchayat Raj Minister J. C. Diwakar Reddy with the murder of Penukonda MLA Paritala Ravi.

Mr. Rosaiah alleged that a section of the media was indulging in character assassination. He wanted senior journalists and TDP members to visit Visakhapatnam for looking into the episode.