Between the Cup and the Lip: Rosaiah is ‘Interim’ CM

Hours after rescue workers discovered the debris of the ill-fated Bell 430 aircraft and confirmed the untimely and tragic demise of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy, Governor ND Tiwari administered the oath of office to state finance minister Konijeti Rosaiah (77) at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhawan.

Claiming that Rosaiah was the “senior most leader,” Union Law Minister and AICC general secretary Veerappa Moily clarified that the appointment was an “interim arrangement” put in place for the discharge of constitutional responsibilities.

The Congress Legislature Party is scheduled to meet after the funeral ceremonies of YSR and decide on a new leader.

Pitching in with support for the dead leader’s son – YS Jagan Mohan Reddy – to be named the new chief minister, several Ministers, MPs and MLAs raised the demand at a meeting of the state cabinet convened by Rosaiah soon after he was sworn-in.

36-year old Reddy junior, currently a party MP, is considered to young for the responsibility, by many in the state Congress.