Outgoing Telangana Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said on Tuesday that he was going back to living life as a “common man, eating vada and dosa on the street clad in a dhoti” after having seen “interesting and challenging times” in the last nine-and-a-half years here.
He did not receive any information about being sent to Kashmir and for now, he is going to settle down in Chennai. “I did not expect to be appointed as a Governor, to become one for two States and stay for this much time. I went where destiny took me,” he said, in an interaction with the media at Raj Bhavan.
Mr. Narasimhan batted out many questions seeking details about his ‘personal’ equations with Chief Ministers and others stating: “I did what is constitutionally right and what my conscience dictated. I had no agenda and I did not favour any political party or group or any personality, although I am aware of the chatter going on.”
Used to anonymity
The former IB Director said being used to anonymity, the sudden spotlight was a “shock” in the beginning, but quickly came to terms with it and decided to be careful about what he said. “The capital was under curfew when I landed and there were apprehensions about bifurcation. Many said I came to impose President’s rule but I was always for a popularly elected government to take decisions,” he said. He has been a “peacemaker” and a “pacemaker” for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and elected governments have been doing a good job of taking care of common man’s needs. “Political parties acted very responsibly during bifurcation period and later, apart from the bureaucracy. The Police Department was exceptional and not a single bullet was fired during the agitation. More than my competence, it was luck, elders blessings and God’s will which helped me during the turbulent and difficult phase,” he explained.
‘Stress buster’
But, Mr. Narasimhan had a bone to pick about the media and it did “hurt” him when he was criticised for going around temples. “What is wrong with that? That was my stress buster. I only used to visit Tirupati, Bhadrachalam, Yadadri and Ganesh temple here during my personal time,” he maintained.
He ruled out joining any political party and indicated he wanted to lead a quiet retired life. He does not intend to write about his experiences because he was not sure anyone would be interested in reading it! “What has happened is history,” he exclaimed.
Balancing act
Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan was viewed with suspicion by those agitating for Telangana in the beginning and later, he was accused of favouring the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh! He claimed not to be perturbed by the perception, yet he took care to get the optics right inside Raj Bhavan.
For instance, he took care to put up a painting showcasing Charminar, Golconda Fort, Godavari bridge, Nandi - inside his chambers. He also confessed to have had two paintings - one of AP and another of Telangana in his personal room. Also, he changed the Raj Bhavan cutlery label from “Raj Bhavan, Andhra Pradesh” to “Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad” to now “Raj Bhavan, Telangana”!