Andhra parties close ranks against Guvs interference

Narasimhan had said he wondered where the government raised funds for the freebies and unsustainable populist schemes launched by the government. He is also learnt to have asked Rosaiah to immediately take steps to eliminate the large number of bogus ration card holders.

While Rosaiah reportedly aired his displeasure privately,president of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) D Srinivas is livid. The Governor has no business to make such comments. He need not worry how the state would raise funds to finance the welfare schemes. He should leave such matters to the state government, he said.

Srinivas says that the Governors actions often lead to uncertainty over decision-making in the state administration.

The issue has resulted in political parties closing ranks. The TDP which often criticises the Congress governments welfare schemes also took umbrage at the Governors remarks. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly N Chandrababu Naidu said the Governor was undermining the Constitution and digressing from his brief by questioning government decisions.

With the appointment of executive councils in 10 universities in the state due and the Governor,as chancellor of universities,taking a keen interest in the selection process,things are expected to come to a head.

The Governors office has already sent back files of several candidates suggested by the office of the higher education minister, an official said. The government is receiving applications from hundreds of aspirants hoping for position in the executive councils with recommendations from ministers,MPs,and MLAs. The Governor is learnt to have suggested setting up a committee of academicians to screen the applicants.

What has added fuel to fire is allegations made by Congress MP from Guntur Rayapati Sambasiva Rao that several ministers in the Rosaiah government were corrupt. He said that Minister for Major and Medium Irrigation Ponnala Lakshmaiah,Minister for Social Welfare Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose and Minister for Revenue,Relief and Rehabilitation Dhramana Prasad Rao were grabbing land.