The debate on the no-confidence motion in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today witnessed an acrimonious verbal duel between Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu who said the government has become a "big joke" in the public. Naidu initiated the debate on the no-trust motion,moved by his Telugu Desam Party,and started listing out the "failures" of the Congress government on all fronts. "Our no-confidence is not only against the chief minister but also on the ministers. This government has lost our confidence to rule," Naidu remarked,prompting Kumar to retort: "We don't need Chandrababu's confidence. We have people's confidence and hence are in power". As the Leader of Opposition named the chief minister and made certain remarks about his administration,Reddy rose and said in an angry voice,"Let us settle the scores now," provoking an equal reaction from the former. "You are a nominated chief minister. You got the post by falling on Sonia's feet. You are a 'sealed cover' CM and yours is a spineless leadership," Naidu charged. "My family (Kiran and his late father Amarnath Reddy) won 12 elections on behalf of the Congress since 1962.I have the support of MLAs and the grace of Sonia Gandhi. You back-stabbed your own father-in-law to become the Chief Minister (in 1995)," the chief minister retorted. "I am a leader on my own. You are a leader at Sonia's mercy," Naidu hit back. "As chief minister you are unable even to go to the public without police protection. Your government has become a big joke in the public," the Leader of Opposition continued. "You are facing CBI probe (into alleged amassing of wealth). You have no right to talk about corruption," Reddy reacted when the TDP president referred to the various alleged scandals under the Congress rule since 2004. Later,there was a brief exchange of words between Naidu and Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy when he made certain remarks against her. "If you have any specific allegations against me or my family members,give them to the government in writing so that they can be probed. The onus is on you to prove the allegations right," Sabita said. After the verbal volleys ended,the Telangana Rashtra Samiti members were on their feet,protesting the reference made by Naidu to their party on the Polavaram irrigation project tenders issue. "The Polavaram tenders were manipulated and the files were tampered with. The Congress and the TRS colluded to get the project contract awarded to an ineligible firm. I demand that the government place all relevant files before the House," Naidu charged. The TRS members took exception to this and raised a protest. TRS floor leader E Rajender wanted the government to order an inquiry by the CBI into the Polavaram tenders issue. "The TDP should prove its allegations," he demanded. The TDP members,particularly those from Telangana region,then stormed the Speaker's podium demanding that they be given an opportunity to expose the TRS-Congress deal. Speaker Nadendla Manohar refused to oblige and said the Leader of Opposition would be allowed to continue his speech. As the TDP members stayed put at his podium,the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes.
