Secretariat witnesses unusual bonhomie between Governor, CM

HYDERABAD: The inaugural of the temple, mosque and church at the Secretariat on Friday witnessed bonhomie between Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, a couple of weeks after the former had withheld assent for the RTC merger Bill and at the end of a couple of years of bitterness.

Dr Soundararajan stepped into the new Secretariat for the first time on Friday — the government had not invited her for the inaugural in April — and Rao gave her a tour of the premises in an e-vehicle. The mood fuelled speculation that they had set aside their differences, and Dr. Soundararajan would clear the pending Bills and approve the nomination of MLCs in the Governor's quota.

Rao along with ministers, MLAs, MLCs and senior officials waited at the Nalla Pochamma temple to receive the Governor accorded a warm welcome and presented a bouquet of flowers. The CM was present when the Governor inaugurated the places of worship.

Rao invited the Governor in a traditional way into his chambers on the sixth floor and felicitated her with a shawl and presented flowers. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari also felicitated the Governor. Later Rao hosted the high tea for Dr. Soundararajan in his chambers. He later saw her off at the main gate.

The Governor enquired about the cost of construction of the Secretariat and the details of the modern infrastructure.

A press release issued by the Chief Minister's Office stated that the Governor praised the CM for “constructing a wonderful Secretariat in a pleasant atmosphere.”