Date:20/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082057130300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

TDP, Congress ZPTC members in verbal duel

Staff Reporter

Congress MLA demands inquiry into ZPTC member’s Scheduled Tribe status

— PHOTO: SINGAM VENKATA RAMANA

In protest: TDP ZPTC members argue with Adilabad MLA C. Ramchander Reddy on Tuesday over the latter’s alleged questioning of the ST status of Khanapur MLA. (Right) Women leaders of opposition parties argue with police officials during a dharna in front of the Zilla Parishad in Nalgonda on Tuesday demanding a fair deal for local bodies.

ADILABAD: Heated verbal exchanges took place on Tuesday between Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) members belonging to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Adilabad MLA C. Ramchander Reddy over the latter’s alleged doubting the ST status of Khanapur MLA Suman Rathod who also belongs to TDP. The Congress MLA was alleged to have demanded an inquiry into the tribal status of Ms. Suman Rathod during the last District Review Committee (DRC) meeting.

Soon after the special general body meeting of Adilabad ZP began, the Khanapur MLA who is the wife of chairman Ramesh Rathod stood and demanded justice.

She said questioning her tribal status by Mr. Ramchander Reddy and Boath MLA Soyam Bapu Rao in her absence was an insulting act. She challenged the MLAs to prove that she was not a tribal.

In the meanwhile, TDP ZPTC members staged a sit in near the dais demanding unconditional apology from the Adilabad and Boath MLAs.

At one stage, they even demanded booking a case under the SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act against Mr. Ramchander Reddy.

When the Congress MLA tried deny and clarify on the charge, the TDP members entered into an argument with him.

Mr. Ramchander Reddy himself charged that the shouting ZPTC members had remarked ‘siggu ledu’ that belittled his dignity.

At this stage, the chairman adjourned the meeting for 15 minutes and held a meeting with members of his party.

He later went on record saying the meeting regretting the remark against the MLA. Collector Ahmad Nadeem assured of an inquiry into the genuineness of the ST certificate of Ms. Suman Rathod if a complaint was received to that effect.

Adilabad MLA C. Ramchander Reddy on Tuesday said Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s intervention will be sought with regard to the lopsided allocation of the Backward Region Grant Funds (BRGF) through Zilla Parishad. He accused ZP and BRGF chairman Ramesh Rathod of allocating funds to Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) members belonging to Telugu Desam Party only.

The MLA held an impromptu press conference the special general body meeting of Adilabad ZP ended following the approval of the works under the BRGF.

He pointed out that even before Congress members got a chance to speak on the subject, the TDP members, by virtue of numerical majority, raised their hands to approve the works without due discussion.

Mr. Ramchander Reddy warned of strong opposition in the next meeting.