The outgoing Chief Secretary of Telangana Pradeep Chandra’s comments during his farewell raised many eyebrows in the government. He was Chief Secretary for a short period – just a month – and was not given an extension, as in the case of his predecessor Rajiv Sharma.
In cryptic comments, Pradeep Chandra, referring to earlier remarks of Chief Minister KCR that Pradeep Chandra was being brought in for batting at first down, said that unfortunately he was run out without his fault.
“I always have this issue. Without my involvement, I get run out like this,” he remarked. “There is a feeling among people that able administrators among the SCs and STs are not getting their due in the government. The leaders should give the right message in this regard, failing which young officers will get disheartened,” he said.
He also said that he had received calls from across the country expressing anguish at his term not being extended.
Pradeep Chandra, known for his competent holding of various responsibilities in the united AP and later Telangana, is obviously suggesting that his being a Dalit played a role in denial of his expected extension.
Meanwhile, Manda Krishna Madiga alleged that Pradeep Chandra was not given an extension because the former was a Dalit. KCR himself was present at the grand farewell given to Rajiv Sharma, but he chose to absent himself for Pradeep Chandra, Manda Krishna said.
