Konijeti Rosaiah

Konijeti Rosaiah (born 4 July 1933) is an Indian politician who was Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 2009 to 2010 and Governor of Tamil Nadu from 2011 to 2016. He was previously an MLC, MLA and MP from the Indian National Congress numerous times and handled many ministerial posts over his long political career spanning over half a century. He is one of the most experienced political leaders in the state of Andhra Pradesh and his role as the Finance minister is most recognized.
While serving as Governor of Tamil Nadu, he was also given additional responsibility as Governor of Karnataka when Governor H. R. Bhardwaj's term ended on 28 June 2014, until Vajubhai Vala took over on 1 September 2014.

Rosaiah was born in an Agricultural family in Vemuru, Guntur District, in Andhra Pradesh. He graduated from Guntur Hindu College, Andhra University in

Commerce. While he was studying in Guntur, he was elected as the student leader and thus entered into politics.

Rosaiah is a political disciple of Swatantra Party leader and independence activist N.G. Ranga. He was elected as MLC in 1968, 1974, 1980 and 2009 and as an MLA in 1989 and 2004 from Chirala assembly constituency. In 1998, he was elected as MP from Narasaraopet. During his long political career he interacted and worked closely with most of the Prime Ministers of India, including Jawaharlal Nehru.

Ministerial portfolios held

• Cabinet Minister for Transportation and Roads and Buildings under M. Chenna Reddy from 1978.
• Cabinet Minister for Transportation and Housing under T. Anjaiah from 1980.
• Cabinet Minister for Home under K. Vijaya Bhasker Reddy from 1982.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Transportation and Electricity under M. Chenna Reddy from 1989.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Medical & Health, Education and Electricity under Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy from Dec 1990.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Medical & Health, Education and Electricity under Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy from Oct 1992.
• Cabinet Minister for Finance, Planning & Legislative Affairs under Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy from April 2004.

As APCC President

Rosaiah was the President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) from 1994 to 1996.

As Finance Minister

Rosaiah presented the state budget 16 times, including 7 times in a row, a record in the country. He served as a finance minister under Marri Chenna Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy and Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy. In his tenure as Finance Minister in Chenna Reddy's cabinet, he ensured that teachers received retirement benefits. Rosaiah is well known for adhering to strict fiscal management principles and effective mobilization & utilization of government funds. His contribution to the state as its longest serving finance minister are well recognized.

As Chief Minister

Rosaiah took over as the Chief Minister after the death of Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy. In his tenure, Rosaiah strived to bring political stability to the state and continue all the welfare programs planned and initiated by his predecessor. He is often credited for the effective management of the flood situation during October 2009, the law and order situation with respect to the Telangana agitation which started in December 2010, effective budgetary management, streamlining of the delivery systems of welfare programs etc. He submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, ESL Narasimhan on 24 June 2011 citing health reasons.

As Governor of Tamil Nadu

On 26 August 2011, President Pratibha Patil, appointed Rosaiah as the new Governor of Tamil Nadu succeeding Surjit Singh Barnala. Rosaiah was sworn in as Governor on 31 August 2011 by the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.

Andhra University conferred him with an honorary doctorate in 2007.