Sorry Chairman Sir: Vijayasai Reddy

The controversial remarks made by YCP MP Vijayasai Reddy against Vice President Venkaiah Naidu that his ‘heart and soul were with BJP and body with TDP’ became a hot topic in the political corridors of the country.

These comments by Vijayasai Reddy shocked those present in the House. Irrespective of the party affiliations, all the members in the House condemned Reddy’s remarks and demanded that action should be taken against him.

With the Rajya Sabha members taking exception to Vijayasai Reddy’s comments, he took back his words. He said: “I never intended to bring disrepute or make the Chair dysfunctional, Sir. I am no one to make the chairman of Rajya Sabha dysfunctional. Yesterday’s episode was because I was in a state of anguish and therefore, wish to take back my words. I sincerely regret my comments. They were unintended and made on the spur of anguish. I had become emotional and assure you sir that it will not be repeated. I had no intention to hurt the Chair or cast aspirations on the Chair. Thank you Sir.”

After Reddy expressed regret, the chairman of Rajya Sabha, Venkaiah Naidu said “the issue is closed.”

The apology came after Vijayasai Reddy was admonished by Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi. He told Vijayasai Reddy that the comments made by him on the Vice President yesterday were not fair.

“I have great respect towards the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. What happened yesterday is condemnable. We have all respect and regard for you, especially the Chair,” Joshi told Venkaiah Naidu. Later, Joshi requested Vijayasai Reddy to apologise.

On Monday, Reddy had ignored Naidu’s plea for writing to him on the remarks that he had found objectionable in the TDP MP’s submission a few days back.

The MP continued to speak even after his mike was turned off and the Chairman saying that nothing would go on record. It was then that Reddy made the above comments.

Reacting to the comments, Naidu said such comments were made to make the Chair dysfunctional and that he felt very sad.