Date:18/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/18/stories/2006081810190400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Rivalry buried on the breakfast table

Special Correspondent

Politics takes a backseat as YSR and Naidu find common grounds to laugh at

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA?: Rebel MLAs of the TRS arriving at the Assembly for the monsoon session in Hyderabad on Thursday. - PHOTOS: SATISH H

HYDERABAD: Thursday was a different day for Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu. Departing from the serious demeanour they usually have when meeting each another, they cracked jokes at the pre-session breakfast hosted by Speaker K. R. Suresh Reddy at the glittering Jubilee Hall.

The ice was broken by Minister for Sports M. Satyanarayana Rao, who is known for his irrepressible remarks. The senior leader was engaged in an animated discussion with Mr. Naidu, who was sitting next to him in a semi-circular seating arrangement, when the Chief Minister entered. He helpfully suggested that Dr. Reddy and Mr. Naidu speak freely with each other ignoring the presence of the media. Upon this, a beaming Dr. Reddy shook hands with Mr. Naidu and remarked that the latter was sporting a smile more often these days. In an immediate retort, Mr. Naidu said he knew "when and where he should laugh" in an apparent reference to his unflattering remarks earlier about the way Dr. Reddy's smiled.

Game for a click

Later in the day, the two political opponents posed for photographs together at the marriage of the daughter of Warangal MP D. Ravindra Naik and attended the wedding of the son of Rural Development Minister D. Srinivas. But, inside the Assembly, they avoided the customary shaking of hands before proceedings began. They remained glued to their seats though Home Minister K. Jana Reddy and some Congress members walked across to the Opposition benches.

Colour riot!

Other members exchanged pleasantries on the floor of the House, which dazzled with multi-coloured scarves sported by members of different parties. Congress members wore tricolour scarves, TDP yellow and TRS rose while Leftists wore red shirts, BJP saffron and the MIM members came in black shervanis.