Rejected by KCR, Fate of CM’s Camp Office at Begumpet Hangs in Balance

By Express News Service

Published: 22nd May 2014 08:29 AM

Last Updated: 22nd May 2014 08:29 AM

HYDERABAD: With Telangana Chief Minister-to-be K Chandrasekhar Rao unwilling to work from the existing CM’s camp office at Begumpet, doubts are cast over the fate of this sprawling building. Now, the moot question is whether the building will be used for official purposes by Telangana government or not?
“We do not know what its fate is going to be. The decision will be taken by the government after June 2,” a senior official said.
The present Chief Minister’s camp office was constructed in 2005 in two acres by spending around `25 crore.
The then chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who functioned initially from the Lake View guest house, later shifted to the camp office at Begumpet in 2005 and stayed there till 2009.
There was widespread criticism over the construction of the big building to be the official residence of Rajasekhara Reddy with huge public money.
The camp office is seen ‘unlucky’ as Rajasekhara Reddy died in a helicopter crash and his successor K Rosaih, who used it occasionally, had to resign as chief minister and move to Tamil Nadu as Governor.
Next, N Kiran Kumar Reddy moved in and his political career witnessed tumultuous events. Kiran Reddy opposed the Congress high command and resigned as chief minister. Though Kiran Reddy floated his own party, it failed at the hustings.
It is now up to the Telangana government to decide whether to use it for any government office or rent it. The decision will be taken by Telangana Chief Minister after June 2.
Now, a handful of security personnel were guarding the building.
Though Chandrasekhara Rao wanted to use his residence in Nandinagar as camp office, police officials opposed it citing security reasons as the house is located in a congested area.