Telangana Chief Minister Meets Governor Amid Cabinet Expansion Speculations
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Synopsis
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met Governor Jishnu Dev Varma amid discussions on an upcoming Cabinet expansion. The meeting, held at the Raj Bhavan on Ugadi, indicated that the expansion could occur after April 4, following approval from Congress leadership and amid various lobbying efforts within the party for ministerial positions.
Key Takeaways
- Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.
- Cabinet expansion discussions are ongoing with an expected date after April 4.
- MLAs from the Madiga community are seeking priority in the expansion.
- 3-4 ministers may be inducted, representing SC, Reddy, and BC communities.
- The Congress party currently has 65 MLAs in the Assembly.
Hyderabad, March 30 (NationPress) Amid the speculation regarding an upcoming expansion of the Telangana Cabinet, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy held a meeting with Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday.
An official announcement indicated that the Chief Minister wished the Governor well on Ugadi, marking the Telugu New Year.
The discussion lasted for an hour, during which the Chief Minister is believed to have reviewed the proposed Cabinet expansion with the Governor.
Present at the meeting were Minister for Environment and Forest Konda Surekha, MP Anil Kumar Yadav, Chief Minister’s advisor Vem Narender Reddy, and others.
The anticipated Cabinet expansion is expected to happen after April 4. Since the Parliament session concludes on April 4, the expansion is not projected to occur before this date.
The Congress leadership approved the Cabinet expansion last week. However, discussions surrounding potential ministers have led to significant lobbying from various factions within the party.
MLAs from the Madiga community, a Scheduled Caste group, have reached out to Congress' Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, requesting prioritization in the Cabinet expansion.
They are reportedly dissatisfied with indications that Chennur MLA G. Vivek will be included in the Cabinet. Vivek, the son of prominent Congress figure G. Venkatswamy, belongs to the Mala community.
Additionally, some leaders are opposing the potential inclusion of Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy into the Cabinet due to his brother Komatireddy Venkat Reddy already holding a ministerial position. There is resistance to having another minister from the Reddy community.
The Congress leadership is reportedly considering adding 3-4 ministers, ensuring representation for Reddy, SC, and BC communities.
Government whip Aadi Srinivas is viewed as a prominent candidate from the BCs. Given the absence of Muslim representation in the Cabinet, the Congress is likely to appoint a representative from this community.
Revanth Reddy and his 11 Cabinet colleagues took their oaths on December 7, 2023. The state is permitted a maximum of 18 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Numerous individuals aspiring for Cabinet positions have been anticipating this expansion for over a year. Despite strong speculation of an expansion following the Lok Sabha elections last year and multiple visits to New Delhi by the Chief Minister, the leadership has delayed the issue.
The Congress party currently holds 65 seats in the 119-member state Assembly. Additionally, ten MLAs from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) switched allegiance to the ruling party last year.
