From correspondents in Delhi, India, 02:00 AM IST

The hot and humid weather can lead to frayed tempers. More so if they are mediapersons chasing one political development after another. The huge media circus outside Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader K. Yerran Naidu's house led to fracas not only among journalists themselves but also between them and some political heavyweights.

As one leader after another was entering the Naidu residence, desperate mediapersons tried to glean out information from security personnel. As reporters chased leaders for 'bytes', a security man in the melee hit a cameraman on the ribs.

This led to heated arguments between journalists and political leaders. As Mayawati got ready to address the media flanked by communist leaders Prakash Karat and A.B. Bardhan, the media switched off their cameras and threatened to boycott the briefing.

Seeing the 100-odd journalists in an aggressive mood, Bardhan tried to intervene but the media men insisted the security man first apologise. The press conference started only when the man came and apologised.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)