It has been a rather unfortunate war of words between TD’s Revanth Reddy and TRS’ K.T. Rama Rao
Target: IT minister K.T. Rama Rao and Sridevi at a promotional event
Telugu Desam’s Revanth Reddy’s attack on the TRS’ most public face, has triggered an intense reaction.IT minister K.T. Rama Rao responded to Reddy’s recent swipe in which the latter had said the TRS minister must stop hobnobbing with movie stars and instead focus on “needs of the people”. “You have time to attend functions of Sridevi and Samantha. Couldn’t you (Rao) take time out to attend the power review meet?,” Reddy had said, during an event in Hyderabad.
Clarifying his stand, Reddy told DC on Tuesday said his borderline distasteful comment should not be seen as a personal attack. “My comments are not personal or derogatory. It was a sincere effort to draw the minister’s attention from high-profile events to suicides of farmers and power cuts,” he said. But Rao does not see Reddy’s comments as being helpful to political debate or discourse.
“First things first. There were no catwalks with any movie personality. I definitely stand by my decision to support a wonderful initiative called Project 511 which supports education in government schools. If I had to share a dais where others are present, that’s incidental,” Rao said.The minister added, “It’s unfortunate that political discourse has come to dragging women and celebrities, who have nothing to do with politics. For the record, Revanth’s comment was certainly in cheap taste. It would have been alright if the attacks were directed at me. But to make derogatory comments by making others part of this ugly discourse is abominable.”
However, this is not the first time two have indulged in verbal duels. Rao has in fact, called Reddy a “joker” in the past and the TD politician has been labeled a mischief monger by the ruling party. And after this series of jibes from Reddy, it’s certain that Rao will not take them lying down.
But here’s the thing. Much of our Assembly’s time earlier this year was wasted in name calling and personal attacks and there were virtually no arguments or debates that helped political discourse or policy-making in the state. The Assembly remained under lockdown and suffered numerous adjournments. So, will this “he-started-this-first” policy by the region’s politicians help in any way?
( Source : dc correspondent )
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