The ‘At Home’ hosted by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan raised quite a few eyebrows as it was for the first time after Assembly elections that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao encountered leaders across the political spectrum.
The traditional reception was hosted on the occasion of Republic Day at the Raj Bhavan lawns here on Saturday, which witnessed the participation of former Governor of Tamil Nadu K. Rosaiah, Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and senior politicians from different parties, bureaucrats, police officers, as well as officials from armed forces. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishnamurty was also seen during the reception.
All eyes were on the actor and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, who met the Chief Minister and TRS working president K.T. Rama Rao separately -- exchanging pleasantries and discussing various issues.
Their meeting assumes significance as Mr. Pawan recently criticised Mr. Rama Rao for calling on YSRCP president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy seeking support for the federal front mooted by Mr. Chandrashekar Rao.
At 5.35 p.m., Mr. Narasimhan along with his wife Vimala Narasimhan and Mr. Chandrashekar Rao walked into the lawn and met the guests. Mr. Rao embraced senior Congress leader K. Jana Reddy, who lost the recent elections. Mr. Narasimhan also embraced Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka and interacted with the invitees.
Prominent among those who attended include Legislative Council Chairman K. Swamy Goud, former Ministers Eatala Rajender and Kadiyam Srihari, MLA Ch. Malla Reddy, TRS Parliamentary Party leader K. Keshava Rao and Rajya Sabha member T. Subbarami Reddy.
US Consul General Katherine Hadda and British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming were also present.