Sulking Rao's no-show at LS questioned

Labour Minister K Chandrashekhara Rao's continued absence from Parliament became prominent when he was not present at a listed calling attention motion on industrial disputes and labour laws.

BJP MP Kharabela Swain questioned Rao's "real reason for absence" despite a plea of ill health which the minister had made to the Speaker.

Several others also raised the issue outside Parliament, pointing out that a television channel showed Rao on Independence Day, apparently in fine fettle.

Rao is said to be sulking over the continued neglect of his demand for statehood for Telengana and has threatened to pull out of the UPA.