K. Rosiaah sworn in as Andhra caretaker CM, 32 ministers take oath

Hyderabad, Sep.6 (ANI): Senior Congress leader K. Rosaiah was on Sunday sworn into office as the catetaker Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Thirty-two ministers also took oath of office. But three ministers of the erstwhile Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cabinet refused to take oath out of a sense of loyalty to the late chief minister, who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.

Governor N.D. Tiwari administered the oath of office at his official residence, thus ending three days of legal and political confusion.

Governor Tiwari consulted legal experts and decided that the ministers will need to take oath afresh to fulfill a constitutional requirement following swearing-in of a new Chief Minister.

Former ministers P Ramachandra Reddy, J Krishna Rao and Syed Ahmadullah said they were only willing to work as ministers under YSR's son Jaganmohan Reddy.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has maintained that the leadership issue in the state will be decided after the seven-day mourning period for the late chief minister is over. It has said that it will depute central observers to meet MLAs and MPS in Hyderabad next week to decide on who will succeed YSR. It has warned the MLAs and MPs not to take any step that goes against the party's constitution.

The Governor has also asked state Chief Secretary P Ramakanth Reddy to explain the legal and constitutional position after meetings with state Advocate General Seetarama Murthy. (ANI)