HYDERABAD: The Telangana Assembly lobbies buzzed with light-hearted banter on Tuesday, cutting across party lines. Ruling Congress MLAs and opposition BRS members shared some spicy and hilarious exchanges ahead of the much-awaited Cabinet expansion.
The usual enmity between the Congress and BRS was missing when former BRS minister Ch Malla Reddy called Chennur MLA Vivek Venkataswamy a minister by addressing him “Namaste, Minister Garu!” though he is not a minister yet.
Vivek, quick on his feet, responded: “Thanks, Mallanna!”
The lighter moments continued when Malla Reddy declared, “There are only two families now which call shots in politics these days — Komatireddy’s and Vivek’s.”
Vivek, immediately, kicked the ball back into Malla Reddy’s court, saying, “Oh really? During the BRS rule, it was KCR and you who were all over in politics.”
Malla Reddy said: “Not anymore. We lost power… so who cares about us now?”
This made both of them laugh and let the issue pass.
Malla Reddy, who is known for his countenance that always evokes laughter, went on to say: “The days of leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, N Chandrababu Naidu, and YS Rajasekhara Reddy are gone. The people used to remain glued to TVs to know what they would speak. Even during KCR’s early days as the chief minister, the people were always curious and eager to know what he would say in the Assembly. But now? It is just slanging matches,” he sighed.
Rajagopal Reddy game for Home portfolio
Meanwhile, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy dropped hints which were like red-meat to the reporters: “I might get a berth in the Cabinet.”
When pressed, he played it cool: “I do not mind any portfolio. Home Minister? I personally prefer it. But I am ready to handle any portfolio,” he said, but would not reveal what exactly happened at the talks between party national leaders and those of the state at Delhi.
“Elaborate discussions took place in Delhi but I have not yet got any calls. Still waiting,” Rajagopal said.