The embarrassing altercation between Congress MP Hanumantha Rao and TDP MPs Ramesh Rathod and K Narayana, who nearly exchanged blows, came in the presence of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu over taking the flood victims back home by air.

Sloganeering by supporters of TDP and Congress only added to the ugly drama of political one-upmanship that unfolded at the airport which for more than a week has been a scene of hectic activities in mobilising succour to the distraught pilgrims.