Hyderabad, September 04: A mixed feeling of nervousness and hope was prevailing at the state secretariat and the state Congress headquarters Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad as hundreds of men and women gathered there waiting to hear about the safety of the Chief Minister YSR.
As the news of Chief Minister’s helicopter disappearing spread like a wild fire, Congress workers gathered at the party office praying for the safe return of their leader.
At the secretariat, work came to a standstill and C Block, where Chief Minister’s Office is located, became the focus of attention.
The chief minister’s childhood friend and his advisor K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, senior ministers K. Rosaiah, Sabita Indra Reddy, Botsa Satyanarayana, top officials the state director general of police SSP Yadav, ADG Intelligence Arvind Rao, Chief Secretary Ramakant Reddy and others got together to discuss the situation and monitor the flow of information.
Hundreds of media men and curious onlooker gathered near the C Block asking questions. Summing up the confusion one minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose said, “I don’t know anything except what media is saying at the moment”.
The confusion at the secretariat was reminiscent of October 2003 when the then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was targeted by the Maoist on Tirumala Tirupati Ghat road in Chittoor district. Once again it was the same district YSR was visiting yesterday.
Leaders of all the opposition parties expressed their deep concern over the Chief Minister’s disappearance. Leader of opposition and TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu contacted the CM’s camp office over phone to inquire about his safety. The Praja Rajyam President Chiranjeevi also spoke to the Chief Minister’s advisor K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao. Lok Satta President Jayprakash Narayan also rushed to the CM’s office to find out the details.
-Agencies