Sankranti Wishes From Prez, PM, CM

14th Jan, 2011: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has greeted her fellow countrymen on the occasion of the festivals Makara Sankranti and Pongal, which fall on January 14 and 15, respectively.

In her message, the president has said, "On the joyous occasion of Makara Sankranti and Pongal, I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to all my citizens, and wish them all prosperity and happiness."

"May these festivals bind the communities and regions of India in a bond of love and affection and inspire us to work for the unity and progress of our country,” she added.

Vice president M Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of country as well.

In his message, he said that the festival is celebrated in diverse ways with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm in various parts of the country.

"These festivals reflect our glorious cultural traditions and promote the values of sharing, generosity and goodwill among people,” he said.

"I greet the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Makara Sankranti and Pongal. These festivals mark the beginning of the auspicious period of 'Uttarayana' and harvest season. May these festivals usher in amity, prosperity and happiness in our lives,” he said in his message.

Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday extended his greetings to Telugus in the state and abroad on the occasion of Sankranti.

"The festival heralds the beginning of the harvesting season, and farmers celebrate the home delivery of the new crop, which is significant in their lives. But unfortunately, the recent unseasonal rains that lashed the coastal districts and elsewhere in the state, have marred the celebrations on a grand scale,” the chief minister stated.

However, a special package announced by the government earlier will come to their rescue. The CM expressed confidence that farmers shall prosper with renewed efforts, according to a message from the CM's office.

New Andhra CM meets Sonia, PM

New Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today held meetings with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a host of party leaders, during which the names of his Cabinet members are understood to have been finalised.

Mr. Reddy arrived here this morning on his maiden visit to the capital after assuming office on Thursday. He met Mr. Singh, Ms. Gandhi, Home Minister P Chidambaram and other Congress leaders and sought their cooperation in running the government.

During his meeting with Ms. Gandhi and Mr. Singh, the 50-year-old Chief Minister thanked them for choosing him for the top post and told them that his administration will be “transparent” to the people.

With Ms. Sonia, Mr. Kiran Reddy is also believed to have discussed the probable candidates for ministerial berths.

The Cabinet is likely to be constituted tomorrow, a day before the Winter Session of Andhra Pradesh Assembly starts.

The Chief Minister has already held one round of discussion on the Cabinet formation with Law Minister Veerappa Moily, who is also the in-charge of party affairs in the State, in Hyderabad.

On his arrival, Mr. Kiran Reddy told reporters: “I am here to meet Madam Sonia Gandhi and other high command members to convey my thanks for the responsibility they have given to me. I have come for Cabinet consultation with them.

“My agenda will be to try to give a clean and transparent government,” he said in reply to a question.

Mr. Reddy will also meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Defence Minister A K Antony and Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, who also hails from Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Moily has already announced that the State will have a deputy chief minister from the sensitive Telangana region.

Lobbying for ministerial berths has already begun and there is speculation that supporters of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy will also be given ministerial berths, a move aimed at mollifying the belligerent Kadapa MP.

Mr. Jagan’s uncle and late chief minister YSR Reddy’s brother Y S Vivekananda Reddy is already camping in the capital seeking a cabinet berth for himself.

Mr. Moily has said that the high command will give a free hand to Mr. Reddy to choose his cabinet.

Mr. Reddy, an MLA from Pileru in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh’s Ralayaseema region, is a YSR loyalist and was the Assembly Speaker till Thursday.