Am I a tainted minister? DL asks CM

  Former Andhra health minister D.L. Ravindra Reddy Tuesday said the reason for his sacking by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy was not clear.

DL, as Ravindra Reddy is popularly known, was in London when he was dismissed by the chief minister June 1.
A bitter critic of the chief minister, he returned Monday night. Talking to reporters Tuesday outside the office of Congress Legislature Party (CLP), he launched a scathing attack on Kiran Kumar Reddy.
"Am I a tainted minister? Have I misused the office or taken bribe that he dismissed me? Is this the reward he has given for serving Congress party for 35 years as a loyalist of Nehru-Gandhi family," Ravindra Reddy asked.
He said the chief minister's behaviour had pained him. "I had already submitted my resignation. If he wants I would have given him fresh resignation letter," he said.
The sacked minister submitted his resignation March last year when he was divested of medical education portfolio. The Congress leadership, however, asked the chief minister not to accept the resignation.
The former minister alleged that Kiran Kumar Reddy was only re-naming the schemes launched by former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
He said he would announce his future course of action after consulting his supporters in Mydukur assembly constituency in Kadapa district.
There was high drama at the CLP office as Ravindra Reddy was not allowed to address a press conference. He had an argument with government chief whip G. Venkatramna Reddy.
Ravindra Reddy lodged a complaint with assembly Speaker N. Manohar.
IANS