Krishan Kant To File Papers Today

Andhra Pradesh Governor Krishan Kant, who is the UF-Congress choice for vice-presidents post, left here for New Delhi. He will file nomination papers today.

Once close to Indira Gandhi, Krishan Kant left the Congress opposing the declaration of emergency in 1975. He was made Governor of Andhra Pradesh by the V P Singh government in February 1990.

Krishna Kants tenure of seven-and-a-half years as Governor was smooth and non-controversial but for the August 1995 revolt within the then ruling Telugu Desam, leading to the overthrow of N T Rama Rao as Chief Minister by his son-in-law N Chandrababu Naidu.

As the Governor himself admitted, the August 1995 crisis was the most trying time in my career.

It was an occasion when he had to keep the constitutional integrity, my integrity, political integrity.... which was the biggest challenge to me, Krishan Kant said. He said he was faced with a difficult situation at that time.

There was no split in the ruling party, but 150 legislators led by Chandrababu Naidu sat in dharna at Raj Bhavan claiming that they had the majority.

He found all roads closed: The local press was hostile to him, he could not seek legal opinion from local Government officials as he feared they may come under influence and if he asked for Opposition view, he could be branded as their agent.

Finally, he had to rely on his own internal resources and take a decision which he felt was constitutionally correct and morally right without affecting his integrity and the interests of the state.