Half of the ministers are busy lobbying for Jagan as chief minister, mobilising their supporters for their cause. Others are either busy attending condolence meetings of YSR in their home districts or are visiting YSR’s grave at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district to pay their respects. Those who are attending to their work in the Secretariat are disposing of “routine” files while important ones are being held up pending guidelines on dealing with them.
Two weeks have now passed since YSR’s death in the helicopter crash on September 2 and 10 days since Rosaiah was sworn in, but the business of governance has taken a backseat in the absence of decision making at the highest level.
Rosaiah himself is uncertain of his future and it is not surprising that he is not able to give any guidance on dealing with issues of importance.
Lifeless secretariat
The bustling Secretariat, which is the seat of the government, is eerily lifeless with almost no activity of ministers and their hangers rushing in and out of the Secretariat in their numerous vehicles. Besides, scores of citizens who throng the offices of various ministers seeking their intervention or recommendation in resolving their problems have disappeared along with the ministers.
Perhaps only two important decisions have been taken so far in the two weeks since YSR’s death: one, a state of drought throughout the state was declared which will set in motion drought relief works; two, measures to control A(H1N1) influenza have been initiated, including bringing the poor affected by swine flu under the Arogyashri health insurance for the poor. Both decisions were taken by strong-minded bureaucrats who advised the chief minister to act in public interest. However, other issues that require political decision such as relaxing norms, land allocation and those involving financial commitments are being kept aside for the time being especially since the bureaucrats are wary of their decisions offending their future political boss.
“It is pointless to submit any file to a chief minister who himself is not sure whether he will continue or not,” said an official on condition of anonymity.
In fact, if some officials are to be believed, Rosaiah himself is said to have given instructions to set aside for the time being, such issues that need political guidance and decision making. Only the “safe” issues such as drinking water, health and drought relief are being attended to.
The caution being exercised by Rosaiah in making sure that he does not overstep his role is all too evident from the fact that he continues to work out of the office of the Finance Minister, his earlier portfolio. Last week he said he would move into the CM’s office on getting instructions from the party high command. So far, no such instructions have been received which shows that the party high command, too, seems to have not got any clear road map on the issue of succession. Till then, governance will continue to take a backseat.
