Rajya Sabha member Vijaisai Reddy on Wednesday expressed regret for arguing with the Chair on Tuesday. "I am sorry for the incident that happened yesterday," the YSR Congress member told Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
During a short duration discussion on the status of implementation of the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act, 2014, Mr. Reddy trooped to the Well of the House after he was asked to cut short his speech due to paucity of time. He was seen arguing with Mr. Naidu, who was in the Chair.
When Rajya Sabha reassembled on Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister spoke about Mr. Reddy's behaviour without naming him. Leader of the Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad, also criticised Tuesday's incident. Following this, Mr. Reddy expressed regret.
Mr. Reddy said his intention was not to disrespect the Chair but he had behaved in such a manner as he was not alloted adequate time to speak on "an emotive issue pertaining to my State."
“I met the MoS Parliamentary Affairs and explained the circumstances. My intention was not to disrespect the Chair,” he added.
Accepting his apology, Mr. Naidu requested members to adhere to the stipulated time. "Everyone has to co-operate. The issue of Andhra Pradesh was emotive for me too," he said.
Mr. Naidu also had a word of praise for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who participated in Tuesday's discussion. "The former Prime Minister was instrumental in bringing the Act... He made a very brief speech but he utilised the time to convey what he wanted to convey. Members should learn from him," he noted.