K Rosaiah sworn in new Andhra Pradesh CM

Finance Minister K Rosaiah was sworn-in as new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. He succeeds Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.

Rosaiah was administered the oath of office and secrecy at a simple ceremony by Governor Narayan Dutt Tiwari at the Raj Bhavan.

Union Minister Veerappa Moily, who is also in charge of AP Congress Committee affairs, Union Minister of State Prithvi Raj Chauhan, several state ministers, MPs and AP Congress Committee president D Srinivas were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced seven-day mourning from Thursday as a mark of respect to late Dr Rajasekhar Reddy. The national flag would be flown at half-mast during this period of mourning throughout the state.

All state government offices schools and colleges in the state remained closed on Thursday. The government has also declared a holiday for government offices, schools and colleges on the funeral day, that is, Friday, according to an official communique.

Reportage: SA Hasan | Photograph: SnapsIndia