AP former chief minister and the Congress veteran Mr. K. Rosaiah will take over as the Tamil Nadu Governor shortly in place of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, who has become sick due to old age. Barnala is now 86.
Reports said that the President Ms. Pratibha Patil has approved the appointment of Rosaiah as the Tamil Nadu Governor and an official notification would be issued today.
Ever since Rosaiah quit as the chief minister of AP on November 24 last, there have been reports that he would be catapulted into a gubernatorial position. The appointment took time due to an anti-corruption case pending in the court. The court had struck down the case against him recently paving the way for his appointment as the Governor.
As soon as the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram called up Rosaiah last night and informed him of the Centre’s decision, Chief Minister Kirankumar Reddy called on him and congratulated him.
Jaya wanted Rosaiah
Rosaiah seems to be the obvious choice of the Centre which is striving to have good relations with the TN Government and chief minister Jayalalitha. In a coincidence, Jaya also wanted Rosaiah to be the governor as she enjoys a good rapport with him.
Rosaiah would be the third Telugu Governor for Tamil Nadu when he takes over. Earlier Dr Marri Chenna Reddy and IPS officer Mr Rama Mohana Rao worked in that position.
Sources said Jaya thought that Rosaiah with his clout with the congress high command and the Centre would be able to fetch the state the required funds and also help improve relations with the Congress party.
Rosaiah, born in Vemuru village of Guntur district on July 4, 1933, had his commerce degree from the Hindu College in Guntur town and participated in active student movements during his college days.
Rosaiah hails from Guntur district
In 1968, he first entered the AP Legislative Council and after that he never looked back. He was elected to the assembly several times and to the Lok Sabha once. He held several portfolios as a minister in the state cabinet under several chief ministers.
He had the distinction of introducing the state budget in the assembly for 16 times, a feat which has no parallel in Indian politics. Andhra University honoured with Doctorate degree in 2007. He is also credited with the distinction of having no enemies in the politics.
