Governor Again Slams Government Over Protocol Violation

After lashing out at the Telangana government yesterday over repeatedly violating protocol where she was concerned, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan today once again hauled the government over the coals over the same issue.

Soundararajan was speaking to the media in New Delhi today after meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

She said that she had informed Shah about the developments prevailing in Telangana, especially the banned drugs (narcotics) and corruption issues plaguing the state. She added that the PM and Shah were both upset at the state of affairs in Telangana.

Soundararajan then once again alleged that the TRS government led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was showing utter disrespect towards the constitutional office of the Governor. She said that she had to travel five hours by road to the Medaram Jathara, and that no official was present there to greet her. She said that it was the same at Yadadri - she had travelled by herself there, and there was no official to welcome her.

She added that it looked like she would be travelling to Bhadrachalam too for Sri Rama Navami (April 10) by either road or rail.

Reiterating some points she made yesterday, the Governor said that even if the TRS administration did not like her personally, it should not demean the office of the Governor, something it was doing repeatedly. Quoting an example she gave yesterday, too, she said that her invitation to attend Ugadi celebrations at the Raj Bhavan was extended to the elected representatives of all political parties, but the ruling party leaders and administration had insulted her by staying away from the program, in a major violation of protocol.

She added that she had treated KCR as an elder brother, but that the CM had not even called her to commiserate when her mother had passed away, when even the PM and President did that.

"The way the KCR government is maintaining relations with the Governor and a woman is quite inappropriate. It should respect the Constitution and the Raj Bhavan," Soundararajan said.

Responding to the allegations, Minister K T Rama Rao refuted them and said that the TRS government had enormous respect for the Governor, and that it had never insulted her.