BJP demands dismissal of CM's CPRO

Hyderabad: Telangana State BJP stepped up its campaign against Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao, saying that he had made objectionable remarks against the State Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan and the institution of Governor in an article written by him.

Party State chief spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao and national executive member Nallu Indrasena Reddy demanded that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao tender an apology and dismiss the CPRO.

If no action was taken, then the BJP leaders said that they would lodge a complaint with the State Governor, President Ram Nath Kovind. Further, they would also consider the possibility of filing a case against the CPRO, they said.

Speaking to The Hans India, BJP State chief spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao said, in the capacity of a senior government officer, it was quite unbecoming of the CPRO to write a piece finding fault with the Governor's appointment.

Not enough, he cast aspersions on the new Governor and presumed that she would misuse the office of the Governor.

In his write up, Rao said, the CPRO categorically stated that the recent appointment was a political rehabilitation. Quoting the Sarkaria Commission, he found fault with the appointment process.

He further said the BJP strongly condemned these baseless accusations and presumptive political conspiracy being attributed to a constitutional custodian appointed through due process.

Further, It is atrocious, especially these unwelcome statements are coming on the day one of her taking over office.

"We demand an apology from Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and dismissal of the CPRO. If no action is taken, then, we will lodge a complaint with the Governor as well as the President.

Further, the party is also contemplating filing a case against the CPRO for insulting the Governor and the Governor's institution."

Indrasena Reddy, while addressing media, objected to a government official drawing a salary from the State exchequer insulting the Constitutional position like the State Governor and calling the Governor as the agent of the Central government.

He also objected to the remarks in the article that earlier Governors on several occasions had committed mistakes and "there is no guarantee that she would not do it," he added.

Saying that without the blessings of the KCR, the CPRO might not have written such an article, Indrasena Reddy said, "If it is written in a personal capacity, he cannot do it as per the code of conduct applicable to the government servants and the Chief Minister should dismiss him.

If he has written in his capacity as CPRO, then, the CM himself should tender an apology."