Public Accounts Chairman (PAC) is a Cabinet-Rank Post which usually goes to the Opposition. The Committee headed by the PAC Chairman scrutinizes the accounts prepared by the Government. It is always better to have the Chairman who is not aligned with the Government check the accounts. Hence the tradition of giving the post to the Opposition.
In Andhra Pradesh, there is no 10% strength to the Opposition and also, the Opposition decided to boycott the Assembly. So, there were doubts that the Government would give the post to the Opposition.
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But then, Media Reports suggest that the Government decided to give the post to YSR Congress and Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy will get it.
While it is a tradition to give the post to the Opposition, there is no rule position as such.
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In 2018, the then KCR Government in Telangana picked Akbaruddin Owaisi as the PAC Chairman. MIM was the ally of the BRS then.
Recently, Revanth Reddy picked Arekapudi Gandhi as the PAC Chairman. Though Gandhi was elected on a BRS ticket, he joined Congress. But since he is still a BRS MLA technically, Revanth Reddy exploited the loophole.
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But then, if the Media Reports are anything to go by, Chandrababu Naidu decided not to go into this mess.
Peddireddy’s appointment, however, will not augur well for both Chandrababu Naidu as well as Jagan.
Peddireddy was Chandrababu’s Arch-Rival since college days. He was the one who tried to weaken and defeat Chandrababu in Kuppam. Chandrababu will not be happy to give him some extra muscle when he is very vulnerable.
The Opposition always appoints their most intelligent and vocal leaders as the PAC Chairman. When Jagan was in the Opposition, Buggana was the PAC Chairman. In the last term, Chandrababu made Payyavula Keshav the PAC Chairman.
Both were very handy. But Peddireddy is not a great orator. He is a shrewd politician but is not the right fit for the role.
But there is no other option because there are no better chances for the other MLAs. At least Jagan is rewarding a senior.
In a way, Chandrababu should be the most disappointed but then, it is the decision he made.
