Hyderabad: The two Chief Ministers N. Chandrababu Naidu and K. Chandrasekhar Rao who turned bitter enemies after Andhra Pradesh formally got bifurcated on June 2, may come face to face on July 23, when Governor Narasimhan hosts the annual Iftar party at Raj Bhavan here.
The two Chief Ministers, who have been at logger heads, have been invited by the Governor for the Iftar party. It remains to be seen whether both agree to attend or skip, coming up with some excuse.
According to Raj Bhavan sources, the Governor has made elaborate arrangements this time as this is going to be the first time he will be functioning as Governor of both the states and dignitaries of both the states are expected to attend.
In keeping with protocol, the Chief Ministers need to be present for a few minutes before the Governor arrives for the function.
Arrangements are being made so that Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan sits in the middle with the two Chief Ministers flanking him.
There is another possibility of both the Chief Ministers attending another event in Raj Bhavan on August 15.
It is normal practice for the Governor to host an ‘At Home’ event at Raj Bhavan on every Independence Day.
This time AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will hoist the flag and take the salute by the APSP battalion in Kurnool, and K. Chandrasekhar Rao will do the same at the Parade Grounds in Hyderabad.
However, Raj Bhavan officials said there cannot be separate ‘At Home’ events organised by the Governor this time.
Legally speaking, Hyderabad is the capital for both the states, and he is the Governor for two states.
There is no need to organise separate events, there will be only one ‘At Home’ event and both the Chief Ministers are invited for this, officials said.
It may be mentioned that Governor Narasimhan had earlier told the media that he will take up the responsibility of inviting both the warring Chief Ministers for a ‘cup of tea’ and is also prepared to resolve any dispute that arise.
However both the leaders have raked up several issues and triggered controversies ever since they took the reins of their
respective states.
