Telugus in chennai cheer as Rosaiah takes charge

As the Telugu-speaking community in Chennai quietly cheered, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Konijeti Rosaiah assumed charge as Tamil Nadu governor on Wednesday. Chief Justice of the Madras high court MY Eqbal administered the oath of office to Rosaiah. The new governor signed the copy of the oath of office exactly at 4.22pm to loud applause from the crowd gathered for the swearing-in ceremony. Chief minister J Jayalalithaa then introduced her cabinet colleagues to the newly sworn-in governor.

The Chief Justice introduced the judges to Rosaiah. But the section which was most delighted with Rosaiah's new charge was the sizeable Telugu community in the city. Hundreds of them were among the large gathering at the Raj Bhavan. Representatives of Telugu associations in Chennai greeted him personally. A few had even put up welcome banners from the Chennai airport to the Raj Bhavan. Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were some ministers and politicians from AP. MPs T Subbirami Reddy, KVP Ramachandra Rao, who is a close friend of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, V Hanumantha Rao and M Srinivasalu Reddy and finance minister A Ramanarayana Reddy, actor Chiranjeevi, who recently joined the Congress, Channa Reddy's son and MLA M Sashidar Reddy, actor and DMDK leader Vijayakanth, TNCC president KV Thangkabalu, singers S Janaki and P Susheela, actor Anjali Devi and others were present. Among the dignitaries were more than 20 persons from Rosaiah's native Vemuru village in Guntur district. "We have seen him from his childhood. He is a very simple person. We are very proud to have such a big leader. We hope he will do good work for Tamil Nadu," said D Muthaiah from Vemuru. Subbarami Reddy told TOI, "We are very happy about his appointment. He is a very experienced leader. I hope the relationship between the state and the Centre would improve during his tenure as a Governor." Bethi Reddy Srinivas, founder-president of Sri Kalasudha Telugu association, said, "We are having another senior leader from Andhra Pradesh as TN governor. We are in a celebratory mood." Andhra club president CL Narasa Reddy expressed happiness. The Chief Justice and other judges left the after swearing-in ceremony and did not stay back to take part in the tea party . "Tamil Nadu is a big state and I am a lucky person to serve as a governor here. I know a bit of Tamil, but I cannot speak the language properly. But I have to learn Tamil and I hope to speak the language in a few days," Rosaiah told reporters later. Former governor Surjit Singh Barnala left the city on Wednesday.