Cabinet expansion gets green signal

The party high command istaking the Minister Konda Surekha controversy seriously

metro india news I hyderabad

The Congress high command has reportedly given the green signal for expansion of the Telangana Cabinet, with the two vacant berths likely to be filled soon. Portfolio changes for some existing ministers are also under consideration. Party sources said the leadership in Delhi is closely monitoring disputes and factionalism within the state Congress unit to ensure that internal differences do not affect the party’s functioning at the grassroots and Panchayat levels.

The Telangana Cabinet can have 18 members, including the Chief Minister. At present, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and 15 ministers are in the Cabinet, leaving two berths vacant. The controversy surrounding Minister Konda Surekha has added another dimension. If the high command decides to drop her, three berths would become available. Sources said her replacement could be chosen from the Backward Classes (BC) community to maintain social balance.

Party circles indicate that one of the two vacant berths could go to Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, while Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar is also considered a strong contender. If the Speaker enters the Cabinet, a senior minister is likely to be appointed to the Assembly Speaker’s post.

The high command is also examining the performance of ministers and may reshuffle portfolios involving heavy workloads or departments where performance has been considered unsatisfactory. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy currently holds the Home, Education and Municipal Administration portfolios. Sources said he is considering handing over some of these departments to other ministers to reduce his workload and improve administrative efficiency. Changes involving one or two other ministers are also being discussed.

Among the erstwhile 10 districts of united Telangana, Ranga Reddy and Nizamabad currently have no Cabinet representation. There is a strong demand to address this imbalance.

Rajagopal Reddy is among the leading contenders. Before the Assembly elections, when he shifted from the BJP to the Congress, the party high command is said to have assured him a ministerial berth if the party came to power. He has referred to the assurance publicly and has occasionally expressed dissatisfaction with the government and party leadership.

However, the erstwhile Nalgonda district already has two ministers, Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. Giving another ministerial berth to the same family could invite criticism. The high command is therefore understood to be considering using Venkat Reddy’s services at the national level while bringing Rajagopal Reddy into the state Cabinet.

Ranga Reddy district has also remained unrepresented. Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy and Parigi MLA Rammohan Reddy have been lobbying for a berth. However, the leadership reportedly feels that the Reddy community already has substantial representation in the Cabinet. Gandhi Bhavan discussions suggest that Gaddam Prasad Kumar may instead be accommodated. His Scheduled Caste background is expected to make his elevation acceptable to different social groups in the district.

Nizamabad, meanwhile, was given representation indirectly when former minister Sudarshan Reddy was appointed as a government advisor with Cabinet rank.

Nearly three years after the Congress government assumed office, the Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip posts remain vacant. Both are likely to be filled during the ongoing session. Devarakonda MLA Balu Naik is reportedly the frontrunner for Deputy Speaker, while the Chief Whip’s post may go to a BC leader from erstwhile Karimnagar district. The appointments are expected to address regional and social representation.