MLAs seek woman CM

Women MLAs had a field day in the Assembly on Monday, sometimes to the discomfiture of their male counterparts.

The Congress MLA, Dr Kutuhalamma, who initiated the debate in the Assembly on 33 per cent reservation for women, said the state should seriously think of having a woman Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, was not present in the House to react to her demand. Taking a cue from her, a former minister, Ms Konda Surekha, said it was high time a woman became the leader of the Opposition, causing discomfort to Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, who was in the House.

She added to his uneasiness by saying that it was time for the Telugu Desam to have a woman president too.

Mr Naidu refrained from reacting to her comments, thus ending further discussion on the issue.

Women MLAs also distributed sweets to male legislators in the lobbies consoling them over the loss of their treasured constituencies once the new law comes into force.

As many as 98 women MLAs are likely to be elected as against 36 in the present Assembly if the Bill is passed.

“We are all thankful to the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who took the initiative for the introduction of the bill,” said the minister for information and public relations, Dr J. Geeta Reddy, during the zero hour that was dedicated to women legislators.


- Reddy.