Telangana Cabinet reshuffle likely

Telangana State Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards, according to informed sources.

According to grapevine, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was keen on reshuffling his Cabinet as some of his colleagues were not up to his expectations. There might be some additions and deletions in the Cabinet which may take place soon, a source said. Irrigation Minister Harish Rao, who is considered as next the Chief Minister by the Opposition parties, denied the expansion.

Repeated meetings of KCR with Governor ESL Narasimhan give strength to speculation that the Cabinet may be revamped soon. The Chief Minister is said to be eager to make some sweeping changes in the Cabinet by allocating a few portfolios by stripping of those ministers, who hold two or more.

As Harish Rao stated, the TRSLP met on Thursday and decided to fill nominated posts by Dasara festival. Those who may be shown the door include Home Minister Nayani Narsimha Reddy and Tribal Welfare Minister Chandulal. Since they are reportedly reluctant to remain in the Cabinet owing to health grounds, KCR was keen on shifting them to party activities and use their services to strengthen it in districts. Though being a close aide of KCR since inception, City based legislator Padma Rao Goud, who invited wrath on cheap liquor issue, may be asked to quit, it is said.

New faces that may make it to the Cabinet on expansion include Koppula Eshwar, who was holding whip post now. It is also said Padma Devender Reddy, who was unhappy with her deputy speaker post, was seeking a berth and KCR has no other reason to deny. Another ST leader and woman legislator K Lakshmi is likely to replace minister Chandulal. To strike a balance of community and accord region-wise priority, KCR is cautious on the rejig, it is said. Though former minister Konda Surekha enjoys clout in Warangal against TD’s Errabelli Dayakar Rao, it is unlikely that she would get a berth, it is learnt. (NSS)