Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy on Tuesday afternoon tendered an 'unconditional' apology in the Assembly for the controversial remarks he made in the House on Monday against Leader of the Opposition and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu.
Clarifying on his remarks against Naidu during a heated debate on the issue in the Assembly, Dr Reddy said that he had not made any reference to Naidu's mother. "I have respect for all mothers. I made no remark about his mother. But if he still feels aggrieved, I am tendering my unconditional apology," he added.
But it was not before the Telugu Desam Party members were suspended for the day for stalling the proceedings of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday morning demanding an apology.
Agriculture Minister N Raghuvera Reddy, deputising for the Legislative Affairs Minister, moved the motion for suspending 34 TDP MLAs. Marshals were called in to evict the suspended members from the House. TDP members said that they would disrupt the Assembly proceedings till Dr Reddy apologises.
Chandrababu Naidu, who was "hurt by the CM's humiliating remarks" against him, stayed away from the House.
Naidu told newsmen that when he wanted to intervene while the chief minister was giving a clarification on Monday, not only was the microphone switched off, but Dr Reddy also made uncharitable and unfortunate remarks about him and his deceased mother. "I have decided to keep away from the Assembly for the remaining three days of this session. I will consult my party's senior leaders and decide on future course of action," he said.
The chief minister, however, insisted that he did not make any derogatory reference to Naidu's mother. "I wanted to say that he would have to hang his head in shame after I reply to his accusations. Hence, I said he would regret having been born at all after I thoroughly exposed him. I said he would rather prefer not being born at all.