YSR Congress party general secretary and parliamentary party leader V Vijay Sai Reddy was on Monday back in the list of Rajya Sabha panel vice-chairpersons, nearly 12 days after his name was take off from the list.
Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar announced in the Upper House the names of Sai Reddy and nominated member, erstwhile sprint queen P T Usha as members of the Rajya Sabha panel vice-chairpersons, amidst thumping of desks by other members.
While Sai Reddy was all smiles and looked relieved, Usha also looked jubilant, as Dhankar announced that it was the first time in the Rajya Sabha history that a nominated member is going to be the panel vice-chairperson.
In fact, Sai Reddy’s name in the panel first figured on December 8, when the office of Dhankar released the list that included other members, including Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Dr L Hanumanthaiah, Tiruchi Siva, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Dr Sasmit Patra, Saroj Pandey and Surendra Singh Nagar.
Sai Reddy even tweeted thanking the Vice President for nominating him as the panel vice-chairmen and assured his fullest cooperation in the functioning of the house.
But three days later, when Dhankar took over as the RS chairman, he announced the re-constituted list of panel vice-chairpersons of only seven members and Sai Reddy’s name was conspicuously missing.
Reports from New Delhi indicated that rebel YSR Congress party MP from Narasapuram parliamentary constituency K Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju was the brain behind the removal of Sai Reddy’s name from the panel vice-chairpersons’ list.
It is learnt he lodged a complaint with Dhankar when he personally met the latter on November 19 against Sai Reddy.
He allegedly complained to Dhankar that Sai Reddy makes derogatory comments on the social media against his political opponents using foul language.
Raju allegedly told the Vice President of India that Sai Reddy lacked the basic decency, decorum, respect and discipline required for Parliament Members.
Raju’s complaint seems to have had the effect on Dhankar in taking away Sai Reddy’s name from the panel vice-chairpersons’ list.
There were also reports that the Speaker might have taken the decision following the reports that Sai Reddy’s relative was involved in alleged Delhi liquor policy scam.
Sources said during Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s visit to New Delhi, Raju met him and claimed proudly that he had used his influence with Delhi bosses to teach a lesson to Sai Reddy by ensuring that he would not become the RS panel vice-chairman.
And Naidu reportedly complimented Raju and pulled up his party MPs for not showing the same initiative shown by the rebel YSRC MP.
Apparently, Sai Reddy took it as a challenge and wanted to give it back to Raju. He used all his good offices in the powers-that-be and ensured that his name is back in the list of RS panel vice-chairpersons.
So, when Dhankar announced Sai Reddy’s name as the panel vice-chairman, it was a virtual slap on the face of Raju and of course, Naidu!
