A spat was witnessed in the Assembly on Sunday between Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen leader, Akbaruddin Owaisi during the debate on the SC/ST Sub-Plan Bill.
Participating in the debate, Mr. Owaisi sought a white paper giving reasons for divergence and utilisation of funds for welfare of the SCs and STs over the past four decades. He alleged that the allocations meant for minorities to the tune of Rs. 5,000 crore were also diverted even as this government claimed to be secular and minorities-friendly.
Intervening at this stage, Chief Minister said this government had done better than any previous regime as far as welfare of minorities was concerned amidst thumping of desks from the treasury benches. He told the MIM leader that his party won the highest number of seven Assembly seats in the last elections as against two seats earlier.
“You got because of Congress party, don’t forget,” he added.
Mr. Reddy said that it was not a one-sided benefit and the MIM too benefited (from the alliance). Reiterating that Congress was committed to the welfare of minorities, he said the ruling party did not require certificate from anyone about its secular credentials. People in the State and country recognise it as a “secular and pro-minorities” government.
Questioning why reservations for Muslims were not introduced in other Congress-ruled States of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi and Assam, Mr. Owaisi made certain personal remarks against the Chief Minister while referring to the issue of temple near Charminar.
Comments expunged
The remarks were expunged from the records by the Speaker N. Manohar.
He said the four per cent reservations were introduced in the State because of MIM and added that former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who restored the lost of confidence of minorities, is being missed.
Mr. Reddy said that whenever the issue of the temple came up for a discussion, he would explain what orders the government had to implement and why. Asserting that it was his duty protect law and order, he said: I can’t allow innocent people to suffer because of someone’s political gain. He told the MIM leader not to misinterpret what was done by the government.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s claim, Mr. Owaisi said it was not the alliance which enabled it win seven seats.
He pointed out that there was no pre-poll alliance between the MIM and Congress.
