The agriculture minister, Mr Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, might have turned emotional on spur of the moment in the Assembly on Monday, but subsequently took advantage of the incident and portrayed himself as the real inheritor of YSR’s legacy.

In a calculated move, the minister read out a written statement which he prepared with the assistance of the Congress MP, Mr V. Arunkumar, and tourism minister, Mr V. Vasanth Kumar. Mr Vivekananda clearly sought to send a message to his brother’s son and former Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, also that it was he who was instrumental in turning Kadapa a fortress for the family.

“For years together I remained as representative of my brother in Pulivendula and Kadapa district for which I am contented. I played my role in turning Kadapa a fortress for my brother,” he said. The minister’s comments gained significance in view of the ensuing bypolls in Kadapa. Describing himself as Lakshmana, Mr Vivekananda said he walked in the footsteps of his brother Rama for 30 years unmindful of himself, future of his family and career for the well being of YSR. He said his emotional behaviour only showed how Lakshmana would be without Rama.

He then went on to criticise the Opposition for not desisting from mudslinging on YSR even after his death. “He faced your (TD) baseless allegations with a smile and you did not even spare his hearty laugh from criticism,” he said adding that he would not keep quiet at attempts to tarnish his brother as corrupt.