Andhra’s converted CM dancing to the tune of personal priest, Pastor Salmon

Monday, January 16, 2006

Officials in the Chief Minister’s Office these days are getting irritated over the growing interference of Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy’s personal priest – Pastor Salmon in the administrative affairs.

Already, the officials are being dominated by the Chief Minister’s close assistant and presently additional private secretary Sureedu, who virtually dictates terms to the officials. In the recent past, Salmon has started poking his nose in the CMO affairs. Salmon, who started off as a priest who preaches Bible to the Chief Minister early in the morning, has now become an important part of the Chief Minister’s activities. He is advising YSR what to do and what not on a particular day. This is upsetting the programems of the CMO.

Of late, Salmon has also started making recommendations for transfer of officials, awarding of contracts and appointments. He reportedly made at least five recommendations to APGenco authorities during the recent recruitment of assistant engineers. And all the recommendations are being made in the name of CMO!