Competent officer who was well-liked by all

A 1985 Tamil Nadu batch IAS officer from Andhra Pradesh, who started as Sub-Collector of erstwhile Thanjavur district and subsequently District Collector of composite Chengalpattu district, Rama Mohana Rao was also known for his extraordinary social and public relations skills. 

Rao as in the limelight twice in the last six years before Wednesday — once when he was appointed as one of the CM’s secretaries after the AIADMK returned to power in 2011 and most recently and importantly in June 2016 when he was appointed Chief Secretary, surpassing 15 other senior officers. He had built an extraordinary rapport with the two major Dravidian parties for demonstrating his efficiency beyond the realm of administration. 

His son’s father-in-law is said to be an influential liquor baron and member of TTD board who also has close association with influential leaders of Telugu Desam Party and BJP leaders from the state. It is said that this connection had also been the bridge between the tainted businessman Sekar Reddy and the top bureaucrat. He went on to hold the Office of Commissioner of Disciplinary Proceedings, Managing Director of TN Housing Board and Department of Social Welfare and Agriculture as Secretary. 

His lucky streak continued even during the AIADMK regime after the then Chief Minister J Jayalaliathaa had appointed him as one of her Secretaries. “It does not happen easily. One ought to have unusually good relationship with the political bosses to hold prime posts in different regimes. No one disliked him. He is a competent officer who also does not antagonise anyone,” said a senior serving IAS officer, who recalled how they used to jocularly say ahead of the May 2016 Assembly elections that, “No matter which party wins, Rao will become the Chief Secretary.”