The debate on liquor kickbacks in the Assembly has thrown up a surprise in the form of Akbarududdin Owaisi. He was at his oratorical best and made a sharp and emotional speech, which was listened to in rapt attention by the ruling as well as opposition members.
Expressing his disgust at the low level of debate in the House, the MIM leader took potshots at the CM for being disrespectful of the Speaker. The CM was more interested in defending his Minister than in answering questions of liquor syndicates and corruption-ridden excise department.
Referring to the earlier verbal brawl between the CM and the Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu, Owaisi said the AP House might soon witness physical duels between the Members, as was reported in Orissa or UP Legislatures.
Speaking in clear English and chaste Urdu, Owaisi pointed out that while people of the state buy Rs 9 crore worth milk every day, they also consume liquor worth Rs 35 cr a day, which indicates that the social fabric of the society is weakening.
He said his party was for total prohibition and staged a walk-out protesting against the government’s stand on the issue. The CM who sought to intervene to defend his stand came across as very weak before Owaisi’s clarity of thought and speech.
