Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 29: When delivering verdict on disqualification of rebel MLAs, assembly speaker, K R Ramesh Kumar, shed tears in memory of former minister, the late Jaipal Reddy. who passed away on July 28.

Making mention of Jaipal Reddy at the beginning, he said that the leader had been elected to Andhra Pradesh assembly from 1969 to 1984. He was also elected five times as Lok Sabha member and twice to Rajya Sabha. As union minister, he had provided efficient administration, he said. He also praised Reddy for giving him guidance like his own bother. He recalled that Reddy was honest and had tried to throw more light on defection law.

Kumar also recalled that statesmen like former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Jyoti Basu, Somanath Chatterjee, Mohan Kumaramangalam, Indrajit Gupta, Madhu Damndavathe, George Fernandes etc were members of the parliament, and wondered where are the current day leaders in comparison to their eminence.

Kumar hinted that this could be the last phase of his political innings. He claimed that he had delivered the verdict on resignations of legislators without coming under pressure and with utmost responsibility, honesty and respect.