As expected, neither Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao nor any Minister participated in the Ugadi eve celebrations by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan at Raj Bhavan although invitations had gone to all of them.
The event was also notable for the absence of senior government and police officials as it was billed as an attempt by the Governor to restore cordial relationship with the Chief Minister. The differences between the two came out in the open after the government recently conducted the budget session of the legislature without the traditional Governor’s address to both Houses on the first day. The Governor took strong exception to this, but the government stood its ground.
Addressing the participants at Friday’s celebration, Ms. Soundararajan hinted that she did not get an invitation from the Chief Minister for Ugadi celebrations at his camp office on Saturday. If she had, she would have set aside protocol and attended the event, she said.
She also mentioned that she was aware of her limitations and at the same time no one could check her. She had set up a grievance cell at the Raj Bhavan to address problems of the public by sending representations to the government. The Governor expressed her modesty, saying she did not have ego as she believed in maintaining good terms with everyone.
A ‘Praja Darbar’ would be conducted at Raj Bhavan from next month as the campus was meant for the public’s well being.
