Hyderabad: President Pranab Mukherjee was accorded a warm welcome when he arrived here on a 10-day southern monsoon sojourn to Hyderabad. This is President’s maiden visit to Telangana State after formation of the new state last year.

Governor ESL Narasimhan, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, ministerial colleagues, MPs, legislators and officials welcomed the President on his arrival by a special IAF aircraft from New Delhi at Air Force Station, Hakimpet.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is on a warpath with his Telangana counterpart after the cash-for-vote scam, skipped the programme.

KCR took everyone by surprise by touching the feet of the President in full public glare while Governor Narasimhan, Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma and others welcomed him with flower bouquets. Naidu was busy holding a review of medical and health at the Secretariat.

Infact, all eyes were focussed on President the arrival ceremonial welcome as everyone expected Naidu and KCR to share a function for the first time after the cash for vote scam.

To avoid embarrassing situation with the presence of KCR, Naidu seems to have skipped the programme.

Naidu and his team are on warpath with KCR and his team after Telangana ACB caught and arrested Telugu Desam MLA A Revanth Reddy while offering Rs 50 lakh to Anglo Indian nominated MLA Alvis Stephenson in exchange for vote in the council polls.

KCR was present with his full team including Assembly Speaker Madhsudhana Chary, Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahamood Ali, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and others. President will stay put at Rashtrapathi Nilayam during his sojourn.

President has hectic schedule during his 10-day sojourn including a trip to Tirumala on July 1, launch of T-government Haritha Haram greenery drive at temple town of Yadagirigutta, launch of book titled ‘Uniki’, written by Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao among others.

Telangana government made elaborate security arrangements around Rashtrapathi Nilyam in view of President stay for 10 days.

Normally, VVIPs land at Begumpet Airport, but due to Metro rail construction activity and traffic mess, the President for the first time landed in Air force Station Hakimpet. Naidu and his team are likely to call on President soon.