Former Union Home Secretary Mr G. K. Pillai is likely to replace ESL Narasimhan as Governor of Andhra Pradesh, according to reports.

Narasimhan, who has retired in January, is continuing as Governor pending selection of his successor.

If you remember well, Mr Gopala Krishnan Pillai had earned the wrath of the Seema Andhra congress leaders after he announced in 2009 that Hyderabad would be the capital city of Telangana state after its formation.

Pillai made the announcement during his official tour in Jammu and Kashmir the very next day after Home Minister Chidambaram announced on Dec 9, 2009 that the process of Telangana state formation had begun. Pillai, a1972 batch IAS officer, later defended his statement observing he spoke the right thing.

According to reports, some top bureaucrats in the state were also hinted about the impending appointment of Pillai as the new Governor. Pillai retired as Home Secretary in June last year.

Pro-Telangana politicians are interpreting the development as an indication of Congress high command’s decision to grant state hood to Telangana region with Hyderabad being its capital city. (J)