Ready To Apologise For Speech: Talasani

Following the objections raised by some Opposition leaders and the members of a certain BC community in the state, Telangana Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav today clarified that he had not intended to hurt anyone in the speech he had made at the foundation stone-laying program for the construction of an Atma Gaurava Bhavan being built for the Mudiraj community in the Kokapet area.

The hall is being built under Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's "self-respect bhavans" project, intended to benefit the various sections of the BC community in the state.

The minister, who had attended the ceremony last Sunday, along with BC Welfare Minister Gangula Kamalakar, Health Minister Etala Rajender and Education Minister Sabita Indra Reddy, had made a speech which reportedly left many in the state disgruntled with its contents.

Speaking on the matter, Yadav said, "Although I had never once intended to hurt anybody, I am ready to extend my sincere apologies to those who might have felt offended by my speech."

"At the program, we had said that the Mudiraj Bhavan is being built to imbue a sense of self-respect within the members of the community. While we did point out that the preceding regimes of undivided Andhra Pradesh had always used the welfare of the community as a means to secure electoral gains, no comments were made against the Mudiraj community or any other BC group. The shortcomings of the previous regimes were pointed out to simply highlight the current state government's commitment to the protection of the BCs in the state. Our government, guided by the CM, has implemented a variety of welfare schemes for the community, which is reflected also by the fact that we have allotted a piece of plum property, located in the Kokapet area, to help the Mudiraj community. Telangana is the only state in the country to take such steps. Would we then go on to insult any BC groups?" he asked.

The minister's speech had allegedly offended the members of the Khammam Zilla Gangaputra Sangham. The members took strong exception to his alleged remarks that the Mudiraj community held the primary rights on fishing in the state as they felt that the statement was against the interests of the Gangaputra fishing community, and demanded that Yadav withdraw his remarks immediately.

The Khammam general secretary of the Gangaputra Sangham D Manga Rao and joint secretary J Shankaraiah even issued a statement claiming that the exclusive rights to fishing belonged to the Gangaputra community, and not to the Mudiraj group.