Taking strong exception to the remarks of MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the Legislative Assembly, Labour Minister D Nagender said that the Congress party does not require any certificate from the MIM to prove its secular credentials.
Participating in the debate on the SC/ST Sub-Plan Bill, Nagender ridiculed the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's claims that the Muslim reservation was the result of its efforts. He said that reservation for Muslims had been implemented by former Chief Minister Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on the instructions of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Countering the MIM's allegations against the Chief Minister, the minister said that Kiran Kumar Reddy's secular credentials could not be questioned. Stating that the Chief Minister had sanctioned a Rs. 2,000 crore package for the Old City, he said that he had visited the Old City several times to inspect the developmental works.
He criticised Akbaruddin Owaisi for raising the issue of the Bhagyalakshmi temple in the House, and said that the Chief Minister had only followed the orders from the High Court.
Health Minister Kondru Murali Mohan, TDP MLAs Revanth Reddy and Sita Devi and BJP MLA G Kishan Reddy also took part in the debate. (INN)