KCR apologises for ‘offensive’ remarks

• Asks Speaker to expunge them from records
• He had snapped at Revanth, Bhatti in a fit of anger

Hyderabad: The concerted efforts of the opposition party to take on the ruling party seemed to have paid dividends on Monday as Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was forced to take back his words and urge the Speaker to remove them from the records.

It may be recalled that during the discussion on allotment of lands to DLF in Raidurg in Serlingampally mandal last week, KCR had lost his cool when Congress Member Bhatti Vikramarka got up to make a point while the CM was replying. In an angry tone, KCR said, “Are you not able to digest the facts? Are they not palatable to you? I know you can’t. Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka, you keep quiet! You sit down!”

When TDP Deputy Leader A Revanth Reddy tried to make his point, KCR told him not to indulge in levelling false allegations or else he would have to resort to ‘Operation Blue Star.’ The house was adjourned amidst din.

Taking umbrage against the outburst of the Chief Minister, Bhatti complained to the Speaker that he was victimised. He said the body language of the Chief Minister was also highly objectionable. He said the House expected the CM to behave in a decent and cool manner.

Bhatti also took exception to KCR’s usage of the word “impeachment” against TDP member Revanth Reddy. He said, “The word impeachment is not there in Parliamentary lexicon.” He said the Opposition was not there to praise the government.

Realising his mistake, Rao said, “I accept that my remarks were caustic and uncalled for. I accept the advice given by Bhatti Vikramarka. I request the Speaker to remove all those remarks from the records, which might have offended the honourable member.”

However, Revanth and Bhatti told reporters that the damage had already been done as the CM’s outburst had gone live on TV channels.