Secretariat grapevine shortlists Kiran next CM

In the aftermath of Chief Minister K Rosaiah's resignation, speculation is rife in the Secretariat about his possible successor.

The favourite to romp home, according to the Secretariat grapevine, is the youthful Rayalaseema Legislator, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's one-time lieutenant and Assembly Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He has emerged as one strong contender for the coveted post.

The Telangana leader from Mahabubnagar district and Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy is the other prospective candidate for the cm's post. Yet another name which figures in the list but not so prominently, is that of is of Information and Public Relations Minister in the outgoing Cabinet, J Geetha Reddy.

In the given situation, with so many issues like unrest from government staff, the expected Srikrishna Commission Report on the future of the state, among others, that confront the state administration, the next incumbent is expected to stand his grounds, function effectively and give a smooth administration to the people.

Besides these, the next incumbent will have to deal with the challenge of handling the political situation if Rayalaseema MP and YSR’s son YS Jaganmohan Reddy decides to re-stake his claim to the throne once occupied by his father.

Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, who had been touring the state to get near the voters in the name of 'Odarpu Yatra', today is considered a formidable leader who is crossing swords with the High Command. He had been a strong aspirant for 'cm' since his father's demise.

Mr Jaganmohan Reddy has left no stone unturned to make his presence felt and 'desire' known to all concerned. But he and his media instruments were vehemently and vociferously critical of Mr Rosaiah's governance, nor did they spare Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the very recent past, which provoked the High Command and the local leadership as well.

Rosaiah's successor will have to tackle all these problems with immense patience and skill. Whoever it may be, the challenge from YSR's scion will have to be met with immense administrative talent and functional capabilities.

It remains to be seen how the cards are played by the high command.  The representatives from the High Command, Pranab Mukherjee, AK Antony, Veerappa Moily and Ahmed Patel, who will be the observers at the Congress Legislature Party meeting, will have a tough task ahead of them.