TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Bobbili (Vizianagaram): The mercurial handlooms and textiles minister P Shankar Rao was at it again. He slapped his personal assistant (PA) in full public view for not picking up his cellphone which was ringing at a press conference here on Friday.
The minister lost his cool and slapped the PA, Venkateswara Rao, even as media personnel, Congress MLAs — Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao (Bobbili) and Jayamani (Parvathipuram) — assistant joint collector P Rama Rao and other officials looked on.
The minister was addressing the media when his phone rang continuously. When the PA didn’t pick up the phone, the minister verbally abused him and slapped him hard. The PA was standing right behind the minister. Rao, an employee of APSRTC, had been working as PA to Shankar Rao on deputation since he took over as minister. Sources said the PA did not hear the mobile buzzing as he was talking to others on the podium. “Shankar Rao took it out from the pocket, shouted at him and shoved it at his assistant in anger. His behaviour shocked everybody, including the PA, present there,” sources said. Minister vents spleen on journalist
Bobbili (Vizianagaram): Textiles minister P Shankar Rao, who slapped his personal assistant (PA) at a press meet on Friday, unleashed his temper on a hapless reporter who queried him about the incident.
Shankar Rao’s foul mood came to the fore when the reporter revealed the name of his organisation. He asked the reporter to “search for another job as his organisation (read Sakshi newspaper) would be closed soon.’’ “The scam worth Rs 45,000 crore would come to light soon and prison would be the only shelter for your owner (read Jaganmohan Reddy),” he roared.
When newsmen pressed further about the assault on his PA, the minister defended himself saying he did not slap his assistant. “I had only shouted at him and thrust my hand with the cellphone. It must have faintly touched my assistant’s face,” he said. Curiously, the PA kept mum and said “nothing had happened.” He merely said the minister was furious for not lifting the phone in time.
Meanwhile, several employees unions have demanded that a case be slapped against the minister for his action. They also sought his dismissal.
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