Date:01/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020157410200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Stealing the show

He has a way of making himself noticed. That’s what Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao did at the recent District Review Committee meeting. He almost hijacked the agenda. Much to the consternation of DRC chairman Mohd. Shabir Ali and surprise of other party representatives, Mr. Rao went hammer and tongs at the government on the Wakf issue. The upset Minister didn’t know how to rein in his party colleague even as others seemed to enjoy his discomfiture. As pandemonium broke loose, Mr. Rao had another dig at Mr. Shabir Ali. “It is unfortunate that you don’t know what is going on in Hyderabad,” he remarked when the Minister denied knowledge about plans to sell away the Housing Board office at Kukatpally. He was telling all this openly so that the Chief Minister didn’t get a bad name. That’s what this typical Congress man wanted one to believe.

J.S. IFTHEKHAR