Why new Orissa Governor left some sulking

NEW DELHI, NOV 15: The appointment of M Rajendran as Orissa Governor has left many people sulking, among them Union Home Minister L K Adv...

NEW DELHI, NOV 15: The appointment of M Rajendran as Orissa Governor has left many people sulking, among them Union Home Minister L K Advani and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Both are, however, upset for different reasons.

North Block, it seems, was caught unawares when in a swift move last week, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) seized the initiative from it and cleared Rajendran’s name for the top job.

What really weighed in Rajendran’s favour, observers say, is

the “excellent work” he had done in cyclone-torn Tamil Nadu in the ’60s when he was a young IAS officer serving in the State.

Story continues below this ad

But for once, the North Block did not have much say in Rajendran’s appointment and it was purely the PMO decision, the sources say. Vajpayee okayed the name just before he left for Durban for the CHOGM meet.

Karunanidhi’s grouse against the Orissa Governor, on the other hand, goes back to 1990-91. This was when his DMK Government was dismissed by the then Prime Minister Chandrashekhar and as thingsstood, Rajendran was the Chief Secretary of the State.

Resentment is running high in the DMK camp as it feels that Rajendran, who might have actively assisted Chandrashekhar in toppling its Government, should not have been appointed Governor.

So far, the DMK has not lodged a formal protest with Vajpayee, but is believed to be toying with the idea of doing so.

Story continues below this ad

On the face of it, Rajendran may have been an apolitical choice, but it is now common knowledge that Union Railways Minister Mamata Bannerjee waspushing his name all along, though for the Governor of West Bengal.

During Mamata’s earlier stint as Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Rajendran was Secretary in the Ministry. The two hit it off quite well and since then the Trinamool leader rates him high.

The PMO came to know of Rajendran’s success in tackling the TN cyclone only after it started digging up his record on Mamata’s insistence, it is learnt.Rajendran, after topping the 1957 IAS batch, went on to gain experience inadministration, while specialising in labour and industrial relations. He is still best known for his seven-year stint in UNICEF during which he formulated the now universally respected Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.

On deputation to the UN body, he became the member of UNICEF executive board and vice-chairman of its programming board. From 1981 to 1987, Rajendran was posted in UNICEF’s headquarters in New York. He returned to work as the State Vigilance Commission for administrative work, even though UNICEF said it wanted him to stay permanently with the world body.

Story continues below this ad

In 1993, Rajendran retired as Secretary of the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry at the age of 58. A Dalit Christian by cast, Rajendran’s appointment in Orissa may also have been prompted by political compulsions, some observers feel. The State, in the news for the past 18 months or so over attacks on its Christian community, is going to the polls in March next.

His track record
A 1957 IAS topper, Rajendran isbest known for his UNICEF stint when he formulated the now universally respected Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. He also distinguished himself for his work during the cyclone in Tamil Nadu during the ’60s.

Home sulking: Home Minister L K Advani is reportedly unhappy at not being consulted. He’s sulking because North Block wasn’t consulted.

DMK miffed: Rajendran was Tamil Nadu Governor when DMK govt was dismissed by Chandrashekhar.

`Mamata’s man’: During Mamata’s stint as Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Rajendran was Secretary in the Ministry. The two developed a good rapport and since then, the Trinamool leader rates him high.