The suspense over the fate of Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister T. Rajaiah in the wake of serious charges of corruption in his department ended on Sunday when Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao sacked him and inducted Warangal MP Kadiam Srihari in his place.
In a series of fast-paced events, Mr. Rao sent his emissaries to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan recommending the dropping of Dr. Rajaiah and this was followed by the swearing in of Mr. Srihari at the Raj Bhavan.
The decisions ended four days of turmoil in the medical and health department which, on one hand, was faced with the challenge of tackling swine flu that claimed 22 lives and, on the other, grappled with charges of corruption in the purchase of 285 ambulances under the National Health Mission and the employment of doctors and paramedics on outsourcing basis. The Chief Minister made other significant changes in the Cabinet after the swearing-in of Mr. Srihari around 2.40 PM.
The latter was made the Deputy Chief Minister and given the portfolio of education, a post held by Mr. G. Jagdish Reddy, who was shifted to power. Mr. C. Laxma Reddy was shifted from power to medical and health.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Rao reportedly discussed with his Cabinet colleagues Dr Rajiah’s charge that he was being subjected to “character assassination”.
Later he drove back to his camp office where he decided to recommend Dr. Rajaiah’s removal to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan. He also summoned Mr. Srihari instantly.
Rajiah dropped over corruption charges, swine flu issue
