YSR’s second consecutive term as Chief Minister begins today

HYDERABAD: Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy will begin his second consecutive term as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh when Governor N. D. Tiwari administers him the oath of office and secrecy at a gala ceremony at the Lal Bahadur stadium here on Wednesday.

He was nominated as Leader of the Congress Legislature Party after the CLP went through the usual motions of adopting a resolution authorising the party high command to nominate the leader. A meeting of the CLP held on the Assembly premises late on Tuesday evening was adjourned for a brief while to enable Congress Working Committee member M. Veerappa Moily, who was present as AICC observer, to consult the leadership.

A little while later Mr. Moily announced that Dr. Reddy would be the CLP leader.

Earlier, on arrival from New Delhi where he attended the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, the Chief Minister presided over the last meeting of his Council of Ministers.

After a brief discussion, the Council resolved to submit its resignation to the Governor, recommended dissolution of the 13th Assembly as laid down in Article 174 of the Constitution and take up further proceedings for formation of the new government.

Accompanied by Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, Dr. Reddy drove to the Raj Bhavan where he submitted to the Governor the resignation of his Council of Ministers. In his letter, he thanked Mr. Tiwari for his guidance and advice in the discharge of the responsibilities by the Cabinet. While accepting the resignation with effect from Tuesday afternoon, the Governor requested Dr. Reddy to continue in office till the formation of the new government.

The Cabinet earlier complimented the Chief Minister for the support and freedom extended for their effective functioning. It also adopted a resolution thanking the people as well as the administrative machinery that ensured translation of the programmes contemplated by the government into action. These developments followed the submission of the list of 294 newly elected MLAs to the Governor by Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao. They included 156 of the ruling Congress.

Dr. Reddy, who addressed the emergency executive meeting of the AP Congress Committee, later averred that he would continue the development and welfare programme plugging the loopholes and see that there was no scope for criticism from any quarter.

Circumstances

Mr. Moily explained to the participants about the circumstances under which the Congress won the election despite the “communal campaign” launched by the BJP and other parties. Andhra Pradesh, he said, played a historic role in the retention of the UPA government by sending 33 MPs.

HYDERABAD: Two days after YS Rajasekhara Reddy will be sworn in as the Chief Minister on May 20, his new Cabinet will take oath of office and secrecy on May 22.

As May 21 happens to be Rajiv Gandhi death anniversary, Rajasekhara Reddy, reportedly, decided to have the swearing-in of ministers on May 22 at Raj Bhavan. Changing the earlier plans, the last meeting of the outgoing Cabinet will be held here tomorrow evening and pass a resolution dissolving the Government. Soon after, Rajasekhara Reddy will meet Governor N D Tiwari and submit the resolution of the Cabinet. The Governor, would then dissolve the Assembly and request Rajasekhara Reddy to stay till the next Government takes over.

The Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held after Rajasekhara Reddy’s meeting with the Governor tomorrow itself. It will formally elect Rajasekhara Reddy as the leader of the CLP.

AICC incharge of AP affairs, Veerappa Moily and PCC chief D Srinivas will attend the CLP meeting.

The next day, veteran Congress leader K Rosaiah will meet the Governor, inform him about the election of Rajasekhara Reddy as the CLP leader and request Tiwari to be given an opportunity to form the new Government. The Governor will accordingly request Rajasekhara Reddy to form the Government.It is also learnt that a five-day new Legislative Assembly session will begin either on June 1 or 2. Besides swearing-in of the new members, the Governor will address the inaugural session. When the House assembles, it elects a proterm Speaker who will conduct the proceedings of the House till a new Speaker is elected.