K Chandrasekhar Rao loses cool, says MLA can’t tell me what to speak

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday made it clear to opposition leader Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday from the floor of the House that a member cannot command the leader of the House.

While replying to the debate on the New Municipal Act 2019, Mr Rao criticised the Opposition, saying that they were trying to oppose the construction of irrigation projects, Kalabhar-athi, the new secretariat and other programmes.

Referring to the objection of Mr Bhatti to giving more powers to the collectors under the Act as this would demoralise elected representatives, Mr Rao said that they had faith in the All India Service officers as they have more exposure to peoples’ issues.

He said that the government had empowered Collectors to eradicate corruption. “It appears that the Congress does not want this and wants to continue corrupt practices in the urban local bodies,” he said.

Mr Rao said, “Though then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy oppos-ed Telangana statehood, we admitted that his sch-eme of Arogyasri was a good scheme openly and are continuing the same. But Congress leaders are not prepared to accept good schemes and policies introduced by us.”

Reacting to the remarks, Mr Bhatti pointed out that whenever the Chief Minister found time he was targeting the Congress with his sarcastic remarks. He added that he cannot show such sarcasm towards the opposition.

At this juncture, Mr Rao said he cannot command the leader of the House with regard to what he should speak or not.