Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was cynosure of Cabinet colleagues, legislators and others at the 66th Republic Day celebrations at Secunderabad Parade Grounds on Monday.

Sacking of former health minister T. Rajaiah from the Cabinet seem to have sent shivers down the spine of ministers.

Immediately after Mr Rao arrived, Speaker Madhusudhana Chary, Council chairman Swami Goud, ministers A. Indra Karan Reddy, T. Padma Rao, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Etela Rajender, T. Srinivas Yadav and others made a beeline to CM.

Armoor TRS MLA Jeevan Reddy went a step further and tried to touch his feet, but CM withdrew. As others tried to make a beeline, an embarrassed CM sitting with chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma got up and went up to the box where other ministers T. Harish Rao, K.T. Rama Rao were seated.

Transport minister P. Mahender Reddy reached the venue very late and was hesitant to greet CM initially.