Rosaiah Demits Office as TN Governor, Announces Political Retirement

Hyderabad: Tamil Nadu Governor Konijeti Rosaiah on Wednesday demitted office after completing his five-year term. The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced that Maharashtra Governor Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao will hold the additional charge as TN Governor till further arrangements are made.

Also, Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli will handle the additional charge Madhya Pradesh Governor, where the term of the incumbent Ram Naresh Yadav will come to an end on September 7.

Konijeti Rosaiah: A veteran of 60 years in politics and a loyal Congressman, K Rosaiah became chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh after the untimely demise of the then chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy. Despite trouble in the AP Congress, he resigned to the chief ministership following directions from the party high command. He was rewarded with Governorship of Tamil Nadu on August 26, 2011.

Rosaiah received huge appreciation from the Tamil Nadu government and the people during his tenure as Governor. His unbiased approach to political situations and easy accessbility to the common man is well-known. It is perhaps these traits which ensured that he continued as Governor despite a regime change in New Delhi. Hence, there was also speculation that Roasaiah would get an extension as Governor of TN, though the annoucement from Rashtrapati Bhavan belied those hopes.

Meanwhile, Rosaiah announced that he would retire from active politics. In an informal chat with media persons on Wednesday, he said he had a long political career in united Andhra Pradesh and would like to settle down and lead a retired life at his home in Hyderabad.

Speculation over new Governor: There is a speculation in political circles that the BJP government at the Center would reward a senior BJP leader with the Governorship of TN. One possible name is Anandiben Patel, who resigned as Chief Minister of Gujarat about a month ago.