TAMIL NADU: CH VIDYASAGAR RAO INTERVIEW

CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO, whose handling of the political crisis in Tamil Nadu as acting governor, including his ill-timed sojourn to attend a wedding in Delhi, raised many eyebrows, is back in Mumbai’s Raj Bhavan. In Chennai, on February 18, he had witnessed the ruckus in the state assembly on live television, as incumbent chief minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy proved he had the numbers. A visibly relieved Governor Rao spoke to

Kiran D. Tare in an exclusive interview. Excerpts: Q. You took three days to reach Chennai despite the political instability in the wake of O. Panneerselvam’s resignation... A. It wasn’t deliberate. I had prior engagements. In today’s communications age, you need not be physically present all the time. Q. Did you anticipate V.K. Sasikala’s conviction?

A. The Supreme Court had announced that it would be delivering its judgment shortly. It was only appropriate to wait till the verdict was out. Q. But you drew criticism for your caution? A. All my decisions were generally welcomed. But I am thankful to even those who criticised me. Q. Were you under any pressure? A. I am appointed by the President of India. I have to be apolitical and function in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution. Q. Did you seek legal advice to resolve the crisis? A. Yes, I did consult Tamil Nadu’s advocate general as well as legal luminaries like Soli Sorabjee, K. Parasharan and Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi. Whether I acted in accordance with their advice or not is a part of my report. I can’t share that with you.

“THE DELAY IN REACHING CHENNAI WAS NOT ON PURPOSE”