Swine flu claims Rajaiah

KCR brings in Kadiyam as Dy CM

Hyderabad: Sending a clear and strong message that he would not brook any corruption, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday sacked Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister T Rajaiah. The dismissal comes in the wake of adverse reports about his functioning, charges of corruption in his peshi and failure to take preventive measures in controlling swine flu in Telangana. Swine flu had claimed over 22 lives in the state.

In a sudden move KCR inducted Warangal MP Kadiyam Srihari as Deputy Chief Minister and was given the portfolio of Education. KCR also effected some changes in the portfolios of ministers in his Cabinet.

Srihari was administered oath of office by Governor ESL Narasimhan at a hurriedly-convened programme at Raj Bhavan on Sunday afternoon.

This sudden turn of events from Sunday afternoon raised political heat in the state capital. KCR held a meeting with some ministers at his camp office and discussed the developments.

Among those who were present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali, Eatala Rajender, T Harish Rao, KT Rama Rao, Padma Rao, Jupally Krishna Rao, C Lakshma Reddy, Tummala Nageswar Rao, Jogu Ramanna, Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy, MPs K Keshav Rao and K Kavitha.

Calls were then made from the CM office asking ministers to reach Raj Bhavan. Kadiyam Srihari was asked to come to CM’s residence in Begumpet, where KCR is learnt to have informed him about the sacking of Rajaiah and his induction into the Cabinet. KCR then sent a letter to the Governor informing him of sacking Rajaiah and the Governor immediately accepted the decision of the Chief Minister to drop Rajaiah from the council of ministers. The action then shifted to Raj Bhavan where Governor administered oath of office to Srihari. Most of the Cabinet ministers were present. Later speaking to reporters, Srihari thanked KCR for the opportunity and vowed to work with commitment and dedication for fulfilling dream of Bangaru Telangana.

“I will work like a soldier and do my bit for development of Telangana,” he added and refused to be dragged into making any comment on sacking of Rajaiah.

Soon after oath taking programme, KCR held another round of meeting with his Cabinet ministers and a few MPs at his camp office. It is learnt that the Chief Minister told them that he had promised graft-free administration and such incidents can bring bad name to the government and could even affect investments from outside. KCR told them that he would not tolerate any corruption or irregularities.

Laxma Reddy gets Health in minor reshuffle

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao made a minor reshuffle of his Cabinet in the wake of induction of Kadiyam Srihari. While Srihari, who earlier held Education and Major Irrigation portfolios during the TDP regime, was given Education Ministry, Power Minister Laxma Reddy was made the new minister for Medical and Health. Lakshma Reddy is a homeopathic doctor. On the other hand, KCR’s close confidante and Education Minister Jagdish Reddy, who is in London on an official visit, was informed about the latest developments by the Chief Minister. With Kadiyam being made the Education Minister, Jagdish Reddy was allocated the important portfolio of Energy.