Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is unlikely to re-send the file relating to the cabinet suggestion of refusing permission to the CBI to prosecute Dharmana Prasada Rao, at least for the time being.
Sources said after the governor returned the file, Kiran had discussed the issue with advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy and decided to keep the matter on hold. The chief minister also conferred with the four ministers who were served notices by the Supreme Court for issuing 26 controversial GOs and PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana.
The governor had apparently returned the file after a green signal from higher-ups in Delhi, where an impression is apparently gaining ground that if the state government is seen as protecting Dharmana, who is facing charges of corruption, its image would take a beating.
According to Kiran Reddy’s aides, he is keen to protect the roads and buildings minister as the morale among his ministers is already low after the arrest of Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao under the Prevention of Corruption Act. But he may desist from sending the file again to the governor as Narasimhan is learnt to be firm on not signing it.
Since a minister has been charged by the CBI, the governor is not constitutionally bound to accept a decision of the cabinet even if it is sent to him for the second time.