“I will not take independent decisions and will do whatever the party leadership tells me to,” Konijeti Rosaiah, who took over as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh after the death of YS Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), tells CH Prashanth Reddy
There is a perception that you are not a mass leader like former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Yes, I am not a mass leader like YSR. Every leader has his qualities. That way, I am a different man. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were mass leaders, whereas Manmohan Singh is not. But Manmohan Singh became prime minister twice.
Does the political uncertainty in the state bother you? There is a campaign within your party to anoint YSR’s son, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, as the next chief minister. Does it affect you?
It’s true that quite a few legislators and ministers wish to see Jagan as a successor to YSR. It does not mean that it is a problem for me. I am not against Jagan or anyone else in the Congress. I am a soldier of the Congress and during my 58-year-long career, I have always considered the national leadership’s views as Veda. Even now, I have taken oath according to the party leadership’s wishes and am functioning to the best of my abilities.
But many see you as a stop-gap arrangement
The Constitution has no provision for a caretaker chief minister. I am not bothered how long I continue on the post. I have been the office-bearer of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) for 17 years. I have been the PCC chief twice. In the party, I have always worked as a soldier. Now, I am working as a disciplined soldier in the government.
Do you expect the Congress high command to clear the air on the leadership issue soon?
The leadership would not like this uncertainty to continue for long as it is detrimental to the development of the state. I also do not want this uncertainty to continue. The high command will take care of this.
There was a lull in the administration after YSR’s death. Have things come back to normal?
YSR was dear not only to Congress workers but also to the people of the state and the entire population went into a shock. The administration was also in a shock for a couple of days. But slowly, it started functioning normally. As chief minister, I have been reviewing different subjects and issuing instructions. I am sparing enough time to clear pending files. I need another couple of days to clear the backlog. Nobody can say that there is a lull in the administration. It is a functioning government.
There are reports of non-cooperation by several ministers who want to see Jagan as the next chief minister.
There is nothing like that. The ministers were in a mourning mood.
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How do you feel when you find that your ministerial colleagues are holding discussions with KVP Ramachandra Rao (close aide and advisor to YSR) before attending Cabinet meetings?
There is nothing wrong in ministers who have a close association with KVP meeting him. Problems will crop up only if such things lead to interference in the administration.
While being an advisor to the state government, KVP is pitching for Jagan. What do you say about this?
As an adviser, KVP's role is different. However, he can air his individual views.
Does KVP continue to be the state government advisor?
We consult each other on phone on various issues.
Every chief minister would like to choose his own Cabinet. Is there a Cabinet reshuffle on the cards?
I am not planning anything. I will do it if the party leadership wants me to do it. I will not take decisions independently.
The supporters of Jagan are preparing for a show of strength at a public meeting near the site of the helicopter crash that killed YSR. How do you view this?
There is nothing wrong in their trying to influence the high command. They can air their views. The Congress is a democratic party. In fact, I told my Cabinet colleague, Shilpa Mohan Reddy, to take care of the arrangements for the rally.
There is speculation that Jagan will be accommodated in the Union Cabinet.
I have also read this in newspapers. The high command will find a way out. The party has faced many challenges in the past and this is not a major issue compared to those. Jagan is a young and enthusiastic man. He was elected to Parliament with a good majority. These things will be considered by the high command.
In the event of the party choosing Jagan for the chief minister’s post, will you continue in his Cabinet?
This is a hypothetical question. Let us hear what they say.
Do you want people to see you as YSR’s successor?
I want to be considered as YSR’s friend and an active Congress worker. I do not have any coterie or a group. I am a common man.
When will the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party be convened?
Our party will advise me on this. We have up to six months for this. I also propose to convene the Assembly session to pass the condolence motion (for YSR).
How difficult is the state's financial situation?
It is not unmanageable. I agree there is stress on finances but we are managing. Resource mobilisation is not according to original estimates. There is a shortfall on account of the global financial meltdown and a slowdown in the real estate and IT sectors. We are finding ways to bridge the gap and increasing government spending on infrastructure and other sectors.
The central government has raised the borrowing limit for states to 4 per cent of the state gross domestic product. It has been quite liberal with us and we are expecting liberal grants under various centrally-sponsored schemes. The Centre is also extending us support for industrial development.
The opposition parties are saying that the state is slipping into a debt trap due to financial mismanagement.
It was during the Telugu Desam regime that the state was pushed into a debt trap. There was not a single year when the government did not go for overdraft. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act came into force in 2005. Before that, the Telugu Desam government used to borrow without restrictions. We did not approach the Reserve Bank of India even for a single rupee under the ways and means advance facility. The debt is mounting but we should also look at the growing income levels.