When a CM's wrath knows no bounds - 2
To Read the first part - click here
Episode 24
Part 2
I faced two alternatives : the first was to offer an explanation by meeting the Chief Minister and the second was to leave the matter at that stage and reply when the Chief Minister questioned me ... After pondering deep and long, I chose the first alternative.
An employee has to have credibility whenever he happens to work. I felt it was foolish to serve silently when the Chief Minister himself doubted my loyalty and integrity for no reason or rhyme. I, therefore , decided to meet the Chief Minister and clear his misgivings.
Immediately , I collected copies of the ads and newspapers and relevant circulars on TTD's advertisements policies, went to Hyderabad and called on the Chief Secretary. He called in Mr.S.Santanam, Secretary and Mr.V.Govindarajan, Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister. When I showed them the clippings and explained the advertisement policy, they agreed that I committed no wrong. But I was anxious to convince the Chief Minister.
Every one hesitated to approach the Chief Minister . Those were the days when even top officials shuddered to face an angry Dr.Channa Reddy. I myself had a taste of it - I recollected my earlier experience.
XXXXXX
Episode 24
Part 2
I faced two alternatives : the first was to offer an explanation by meeting the Chief Minister and the second was to leave the matter at that stage and reply when the Chief Minister questioned me ... After pondering deep and long, I chose the first alternative.
An employee has to have credibility whenever he happens to work. I felt it was foolish to serve silently when the Chief Minister himself doubted my loyalty and integrity for no reason or rhyme. I, therefore , decided to meet the Chief Minister and clear his misgivings.
Immediately , I collected copies of the ads and newspapers and relevant circulars on TTD's advertisements policies, went to Hyderabad and called on the Chief Secretary. He called in Mr.S.Santanam, Secretary and Mr.V.Govindarajan, Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister. When I showed them the clippings and explained the advertisement policy, they agreed that I committed no wrong. But I was anxious to convince the Chief Minister.
Every one hesitated to approach the Chief Minister . Those were the days when even top officials shuddered to face an angry Dr.Channa Reddy. I myself had a taste of it - I recollected my earlier experience.
XXXXXX
In fact, even on the day I took over as TTD Executive Office , i.e. a year earlier, the Chief Minister took me to task as some people had carried tales against me. That too, within an hour of my taking over charge from Mr.Anandarao Mudaliar, in-charge Executive Officer.
The CM summoned me and pointedly asked, "Do you want to work as Vengal Rao's agent against us?". I was nonplussed for a moment. Restraining myself from muttering a reply , I reasoned to myself : "My place of work is Lord Srinivasa's precincts in Tirumala. If I am destined to serve Him,He will script whatever is to happen ".
Once Dr. Channa Reddy cooled down, I tried to explain :"Sir, I am not able to make out what you are saying. I worked as Secretary to CM, when Mr.P.V.Narasimha Rao was CM.Then, everybody dubbed me a PV's man. When Mr.Vengal Rao was CM, I served as collector of his home district Khammam. For that reason, you are stamping me as Vengal Rao man. Sir, we are loyal to our jobs and not to individuals. You are unnecessarily suspecting my bonafides ".
The CM summoned me and pointedly asked, "Do you want to work as Vengal Rao's agent against us?". I was nonplussed for a moment. Restraining myself from muttering a reply , I reasoned to myself : "My place of work is Lord Srinivasa's precincts in Tirumala. If I am destined to serve Him,He will script whatever is to happen ".
Once Dr. Channa Reddy cooled down, I tried to explain :"Sir, I am not able to make out what you are saying. I worked as Secretary to CM, when Mr.P.V.Narasimha Rao was CM.Then, everybody dubbed me a PV's man. When Mr.Vengal Rao was CM, I served as collector of his home district Khammam. For that reason, you are stamping me as Vengal Rao man. Sir, we are loyal to our jobs and not to individuals. You are unnecessarily suspecting my bonafides ".
His grievance was - that a day earlier I had called Vengal Rao close associate and TTD Chairman C Anna Rao and reportedly assured him of his continuance as TTD Chairman.
I smiled to myself as I realised how the facts had been distorted and communicated to the CM.
Mr.Anna Rao , who had returned from the US a day earlier, dropped in at my home to congratulate me on my appointment as TTD Executive Officer. I explained this to CM. When the TTD was constructing a 'Kalyana Mantapam' at Khammam, Mr.Anna Rao used to visit Khammam. Beyond meeting him on such occasions as Khammam Collector, I had no close relationship with him .
"When I know that the TTD Chairman's appointment is the CM prerogative, why would I poke my nose? Anyway, I have never imagined that I would lose your confidence within an hour of taking charge. I am still here physically, although my luggage had left for Tirupati. Please appoint anyone whom you trust as TTD Executive Officer and permit me to go on leave", I told the CM.
Despite my intense desire to work as TTD Executive Officer , I had no alternative to talking in that vein because I could not allow even an innuendo to besmirch my reputation. As I was about to get up and depart, leaving the matter to Lord Srinivasa, there was a metamorphosis in the tone and tenor of CM. Pleasantness returned to his angry countenance. The seriousness in his voice gave way to gentleness. In his characteristic style, he said "Look Prasad; we have respect for Vengal Rao. But he is working against us. You know how important is Anna Rao is to Vengal Rao...". He was certain that Mr.Vengal Rao himself had sent Mr.Anna Rao to my home.
"Prasad, we have total confidence in you. We dont want to shift you so soon from the TTD post. Go and work well ". So saying, he patted me on the shoulder affectionately . It was against such a backdrop that I went to take up the TTD assignment. Now, the ad calamity had descended on me.
XXXXXX
I smiled to myself as I realised how the facts had been distorted and communicated to the CM.
Mr.Anna Rao , who had returned from the US a day earlier, dropped in at my home to congratulate me on my appointment as TTD Executive Officer. I explained this to CM. When the TTD was constructing a 'Kalyana Mantapam' at Khammam, Mr.Anna Rao used to visit Khammam. Beyond meeting him on such occasions as Khammam Collector, I had no close relationship with him .
"When I know that the TTD Chairman's appointment is the CM prerogative, why would I poke my nose? Anyway, I have never imagined that I would lose your confidence within an hour of taking charge. I am still here physically, although my luggage had left for Tirupati. Please appoint anyone whom you trust as TTD Executive Officer and permit me to go on leave", I told the CM.
Despite my intense desire to work as TTD Executive Officer , I had no alternative to talking in that vein because I could not allow even an innuendo to besmirch my reputation. As I was about to get up and depart, leaving the matter to Lord Srinivasa, there was a metamorphosis in the tone and tenor of CM. Pleasantness returned to his angry countenance. The seriousness in his voice gave way to gentleness. In his characteristic style, he said "Look Prasad; we have respect for Vengal Rao. But he is working against us. You know how important is Anna Rao is to Vengal Rao...". He was certain that Mr.Vengal Rao himself had sent Mr.Anna Rao to my home.
"Prasad, we have total confidence in you. We dont want to shift you so soon from the TTD post. Go and work well ". So saying, he patted me on the shoulder affectionately . It was against such a backdrop that I went to take up the TTD assignment. Now, the ad calamity had descended on me.
XXXXXX
I was determined to meet him. Finally , the Chief Secretary and the Secretary to CM took me to the CM 's residence in Tarnaka, Hyderabad. The joint secretary to CM , Mr. Govindarajan, was also present. The CS briefed the CM on the purpose of my visit.
Listening to the CS , the CM pounced on me . I could hardly open my mouth. But who would stop a CM? " Prasad, we never thought you would act like this .... that you could be so disloyal and indiscreet. Do you encourage our opponents by releasing advertisements ? Is this way you should be behaving towards a CM?". Non-Stop CM spat fire and brimstone on me. Mr.Santanam tried to intervene, but the CM was in no mood to pause.
Listening to the CS , the CM pounced on me . I could hardly open my mouth. But who would stop a CM? " Prasad, we never thought you would act like this .... that you could be so disloyal and indiscreet. Do you encourage our opponents by releasing advertisements ? Is this way you should be behaving towards a CM?". Non-Stop CM spat fire and brimstone on me. Mr.Santanam tried to intervene, but the CM was in no mood to pause.
OM NAMO SRINIVASAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA