Konijeti Rosaiah కొణిజేటి రోశయ్య

Konijeti Rosaiah (Telugu: కొణిజేటి రోశయ్య; Tamil: கொனிஜெட்டி ரோசையா) (born 4 July 1933) is the current Governor of Tamil Nadu^[2] and a former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.^[3][4][5] He was previously an MLC, MLA & MP of the Indian National Congress numerous times and has handled many ministerial posts over his long political career spanning over half a century. He is one of the most experienced political leaders in the state and his role as the Finance Minister is most recognized

Early Life

Rosaiah was born in Vysya community and a middle class agricultural family in Vemuru, near Tenali in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh.^[7] He graduated from Guntur Hindu College, Andhra University in Commerce. While he was studying in Guntur, he was elected as the student leader and thus entered into politics.

 Political Career

Rosaiah is a political disciple of Swatantra Party leader and independence activist N.G. Ranga.^[8] He was elected as MLC in 1968, 1974, 1980 and 2009 and as an MLA in 1989 and 2004 from Chirala assembly constituency. In 1998, he was elected as MP from Narasaraopet. During his long political career is had interacted and worked closely with most of the Prime Ministers of India including Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Ministerial Portfolios held

• Cabinet Minister for Transportation and Roads and Buildings under M.Chenna Reddy from 1979.
• Cabinet Minister for Transportation and Housing under T.Anjaiah from 1980.
• Cabinet Minister for Home under K. Vijaya Bhasker Reddy from 1982.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Transportation and Electricity under M.Chenna Reddy from 1989.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Medical & Health, Education and Electricity under Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy from 1990.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Medical & Health, Education and Electricity under Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy from 1992.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Planning & Legislative Affairs under Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy from 2004.
• Now, in 2011, Working as Governor For Tamil Nadu state

As PCC President

Rosaiah was the President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) from 1995 to 1997.

As Finance Minister

Rosaiah presented the state budget 16 times, including 7 times in a row, a record in the country.^[8] He served as a finance minister under Marri Chenna Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy and Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy. In his tenure as Finance Minister in Chenna Reddy's cabinet, he ensured that teachers received retirement benefits. Rosaiah is well known for adhering to strict fiscal management principles and effective mobilization & utilization of government funds. His contribution to the state as its longest serving finance minister are well recognised.

As Chief Minister

Rosaiah took over as the Chief Minister after the untimely demise of Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy. In his tenure, Rosaiah strived to bring political stability to the state and continue all the welfare programs planned and initiated by his predecessor. He is often credited for the effective management of the flood situation during October 2009, the law and order situation with respect to the Telangana agitation which started in December 2010, effective budgetary management, streamlining of the delivery systems of welfare programs etc. He submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, ESL Narasimhan on 24th Nov 2010 citing health reasons.^[9] Mr. Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy was sworn in as the Chief Minister after Mr. Rosaiah by the governor ESL Narasimhan.

As Governor of Tamil Nadu

On 26 August 2011, President Pratibha Patil, appointed Rosaiah as the new Governor of Tamil Nadu succeeding Surjit Singh Barnala. Rosaiah was sworn in as Governor on 31 August 2011 by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Tamil Nadu.

Personal Life

Rosaiah is married to Sivalaxmi and has three children. He is a devout family man and likes spending time with his family and old friends.