Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is normally known to be quite ‘staid’ in his speeches, proved himself otherwise at the inaugural of the Rotary International’s South Asia Summit at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre here the other day when he compared and contrasted the ‘service’ of Rotarians vis-à-vis ‘netas’.
He spoke slower than usual, in English, considering the presence of a few thousand Rotarians from across 15 nations, lauding them for their services.
“As far as welfare activities are concerned, you and politicians in power like us are much the same. The difference lies in the fact that while you may not have any motive per se, there lies in most of us, the wish to come back to power. While we have to fight elections once in five years, you have it annually. That’s the difference,” he told an audience that appreciated the wit, with much applause.
"political ‘son’rise
While the Sunrisers Hyderabad is doing well in IPL, the sons of many politicians are rising in the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh with the elections just a year away.
Not long ago, TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, earned political spurs and close watchers of the party believe that he is being groomed to be the heir-apparent. It will be a matter of time before he begins to call the shots, they opine. Recently, a father-son duo, K.V.V.Satyanarayana Raju and Ravi Kiran Varma, made a historic entry into the Legislative Council. The latest father-son combination to make news was that of former TDP leader Dadi Veerabhadra Rao and his son, Ratnakar, who have joined YSR Congress Party.
Aspiring ‘babus’
Yet another tussle for the top administrative leadership comes to an end. Every aspiring ‘babu’, in his own inimitable style sought to draw Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s attention for the top slot of Chief Secretary and some even used caste cards.
However, the CM’s eyes focussed on an officer known for his silent work. He wanted one who could do justice to the post while being impartial to all the regions of the State without scope for criticism for bias, considering the simmering struggle for a separate State that was on.
He asked for inputs before zeroing in on his choice of P.K. Mohanty, known for commitment and dedication, especially in his last posting as Mission Director, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, handling a whopping Rs. 1.5 lakh crore, almost the size of A.P.’s budget.
Mr. Mohanty later recalled that he had never worked directly under Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy anytime in the past in the State and that he was humbled at his appointment, conveying his happiness at being made Chief Secretary of a State he loved most.
New development raises eyebrows
Politics makes strange bedfellows. The adage proved true yet again with senior TDP leader, Dadi Veerabhadra Rao joining the YSRC raising the eyebrows of many. That’s because Mr. Rao figured prominently among the list of TDP leaders who were YSRC leader Jagan’s bitter critics till the other day. Mr. Rao was the one who created sensation by releasing a list of quid pro quo deals stating that Jagan amassed wealth worth over one lakh crores.
Not just that, he is stated to be one of the authors of “Raja of Corruption”, a book brought out by the TDP against the alleged corrupt rule of former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. He would not let go any opportunity that came his way to lampoon Jagan. Within a few days, he coolly walks into Chanchalguda jail and meets the same Jagan. Sign of times?
