Hyderabad: The TS Secretariat has been pretty quiet since the cash-for-vote case broke out, contrary to the AP Secretariat, which has been witnessing hectic activity with AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and his ministers spending hours in meetings.
TS Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and ministers are keeping away from the Secretariat for the last two weeks though they had met for the TS Cabinet meeting on June 10.
While Mr Rao is confining himself to his Camp Office, farmhouse or is taking up district tours, the ministers are either touring their home districts or staying in the Ministers’ Quarters in Banjara Hills.
They are, however, holding press conferences at TS Bhavan regarding the cash-for-vote issue.
City minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav is the only one who is seen at the Secretariat these days, holding press conferences there to counter the AP government’s moves on the burning issue.
Meanwhile, administration and departmental activities were hit due to the absence of the CM and ministers. Officials kept important decisions pending, leading to the files piling up.
The usual long queues of visitors seeking passes to enter the Secretariat are also not seen these days. Officials and staff look relaxed with no major review meetings with the CM or ministers taking place in the last two weeks.
Ministers are scared of meeting visitors in Secretariat after intelligence department reportedly alerted that the AP might retaliate by spying on them and cautioned them to remain vigilant for a few weeks.
"The CMO has alerted all the ministers and staff in ministers’ chambers to remain vigilant since the Intelligence department has cautioned that there are chances of contractors or brokers approaching them and luring them with bribes or commissions to clear files or do favours. We were asked not to entertain any visitor seeking information on status of files or approvals etc.," said an employee in a minister's chamber.
The TS Secretariat is expected to remain deserted till the end of this week as officials expect to get clarity on the cash-for-vote issue in three-four days.
