Whereas Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy insists there are not any plans to broaden the state Cupboard, a piece of Congress MLAs feels a rejig is not only crucial but in addition imminent. A “secret assembly” of 10 get together MLAs earlier this month has lent credence to the excitement of a Cupboard enlargement earlier than the subsequent Meeting session in March.
At current, the 11-member Cupboard has six vacancies. Sources mentioned leaders corresponding to Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and G Vivek who stop the BJP forward of the 2023 Meeting polls had been within the working. Rajagopal, a former Congressman who shifted to the BJP, is the brother of state minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. Other than them, sources mentioned former minister Shabbir Ali and MLC Kodandaram had been additionally within the race.
What seemingly works within the favour of the 4 is that they’re veteran leaders and are seen to have their help base. The CM is claimed to be in favour of Ali and Kodandaram moving into the Cupboard. Nonetheless, Rajagopal and Vivek will make the minimize provided that they get the excessive command’s approval, in response to insiders.
The Congress’ reluctance to induct extra Reddy leaders within the Cupboard may additionally work towards Rajagopal. “Extra leaders from the Backward Lessons are more likely to make their manner into the Cupboard although the CM is tight-lipped about it. There’s additionally a requirement {that a} chief from the Backward Lessons group be made the Deputy CM,” mentioned a Congress chief.
What’s the present composition of the Cupboard?
Revanth holds the Municipal Administration and City Growth, Normal Administration, Regulation and Order, and all different unallocated portfolios. Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka handles Finance and Planning, and Power. N Uttam Kumar Reddy handles Irrigation, and Meals and Civil Provides whereas Damodar Rajanarasimha is the minister for Well being, Medical and Household Welfare, and Science and Know-how.
Different ministers are Komatireddy Venkat Reddy (Roads & Buildings, and Cinematography), D Sridhar Babu (Data Know-how, Electronics and Communications, Industries and Commerce, and Legislative Affairs), Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy (Income and Housing, Data and Public Relations), Ponnam Prabhakar (Transport and BC Welfare), Konda Surekha (Atmosphere & Forests and Endowment), D Anasuya (Panchayat Raj & Rural Growth, together with Rural Water Provide, and Girls & Little one Welfare), Tummala Nageswara Rao (Agriculture, Advertising, Cooperation, and Handlooms & Textiles), and Jupally Krishna Rao (Prohibition & Excise; Tourism & Tradition, and Archaeology).
Is there a have to broaden the Cupboard?
Seemingly, in an indication of the get together’s inside rift coming to the fore, particularly towards ministers corresponding to Srinivasa Reddy, 10 Congress MLAs held a “secret assembly” earlier this month. The legislators who attended the assembly are Naini Rajender Reddy, Anirudh Reddy, Laxmi Kantha Rao, D Madhava Reddy, B Ilaiah, Bhoopathi Reddy, Y Srinivas Reddy, Murali Naik, Ok Rajesh Reddy, and Sanjeev Reddy.
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A Congress chief mentioned the assembly was seen as an indication of an “inside riot”. “It was quelled, and shortly afterwards, the Cupboard received busy with the end result of the caste survey and SC sub-categorisation. Therefore, not a lot consideration was given to the assembly,” mentioned the get together functionary.
The central management intervened and managed to iron out the variations. Revanth Reddy himself urged the MLAs to not maintain private conferences with out the permission of the excessive command. Some Congress insiders mentioned the Cupboard enlargement could be undertaken to placate a few of those that are sulking.
What triggered the newest hypothesis?
The newest buzz was fuelled by the CM’s February 15 journey to Delhi together with Telangana Congress chief B Mukesh Kumar Goud. The 2 met the get together’s central management, together with Lok Sabha Chief of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. They’re mentioned to have knowledgeable the excessive command concerning the deliberate rejig. “Gandhi is believed to have given his assent to the Cupboard enlargement this time,” a celebration chief mentioned.
