Seethapalli Abheeshta, who ruled roost in chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s office for the past 17 months as OSD , has reportedly been recalled.
From now onwards, he would confine himself to the party activities as the aide of his ‘boss’ Lokesh. This decision stems from the controversy the young man created in CMO and the opposition crying foul over his meddling with official matters in government.
According to sources, Abheeshta will help TDP general secretary Lokesh in GHMC elections.
He is said to have resigned as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to chief minister Naidu. Though a nondescript in public life, he entered the CMO as powerful as CM’s principal secretary, Satish Chandra. Sometimes he proved more powerful and influential than Satish.
The main complaint against Abheeshta is that he was summoning important files from the departments in the name of chief minister and carrying them to his real boss Nara Lokesh outside secretariat.
APCC Raghuvira Reddy had exposed the real motive behind the appointment of Abheeshta. According to Reddy, Lokesh used his position as a member of CM personal staff to gain access to every file related to important contracts, excise licenses and postings of IAS and IPS officers.
Raghuvira wrote an open letter to the chief minister demanding clarification about the way Abheeshta was appointed and his qualifications as well as his role in the CMO and government.
Abheeshta is said to have poked his nose into every affair of the governmental. He attempted to appoint PROs to ministers’ peshis much to chagrin of ministers. This was broadly seen as an attempt to keep watch on the activities of ministers. Similarly, he is said to have rubbed many senior officials, including principal secretary Satish Chandra on wrong side.
With too much resentment generating against Lokesh’s Man Friday, he is said to have been recalled to his original duties as the advisor to Lokesh.
Media reports, however said, he submitted his resignation to his post as he was unable to take care of party work as well as official matters.
“A few days ago, Abheeshta sent his resignation directly to the Chief Minister Naidu. But, his resignation has so far been not accepted,” sources said.
Sources admitted that after submitting his resignation, Abheeshta had stopped attending office.
