Rajaiah’s remarks on Sonia lead to uproar in TS assembly

Hyderabad, Nov 29: There was an uproar in the State Legislative Assembly on the last day of its budget session on Saturday after Telangana Deputy Chief Minister T Rajaiah made certain 'objectionable' remarks against Congress president Sonia Gandhi . The proceedings in the house were adjourned twice for 10 minutes. The main opposition members rushed into the Well of the House protesting against Rajaiah’s remarks. It was then the Speaker S Madhusudanachari announced that the 'objectionable remarks' are being expunged from the records. Congress MLA Padmavathi made the first reference to Sonia Gandhi during the zero hour when she praised her party chief for granting statehood to Telangana. Padmavathi said, “As a mother, despite knowing that she will lose her (political) life, Sonia delivered the baby (Telangana state). No doubt the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and others also played their part but it was the sole will of Sonia that ensured statehood for Telangana. We should be ever grateful to her.” Responding to the point, Rajaiah said TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao's indefinite hunger-strike on November 29, 2009 had forced the then UPA government to announce the creation of Telangana state on December 9. Immediately, the Congress MLAs protested and rushed into the Well. Later, Congress's senior MLA Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka took strong exception to Rajaiah’s remarks. But, Rajaiah tried to justify his remarks. This led to an uproar in the House.