HYDERABAD: The Congress High Command has given its nod for the expansion of the Telangana Cabinet, with the swearing-in of new ministers likely to take place on April 3, ahead of the Ugadi festival. This will mark the first expansion of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s Cabinet.
As per early indications, two leaders from the Backward Classes (BC), one from the Scheduled Castes (SC), and one from the Reddy community are expected to be inducted. The names under consideration include Sreeramulu Madhiraaj and Government Whip Adi Srinivas from the BC community; Vivek Venkatswamy, MLA from Chennur, from the SC category; and Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy from the Reddy community.
If a minority candidate is considered, a Muslim face could also be included in the Cabinet. Sources said the final list was prepared following consultations between Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, PCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud, and newly appointed AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan.
Meanwhile, several other senior leaders who believe they are strong contenders have intensified lobbying for berths. Among them are Mancherial MLA Premsagar Rao, Alair MLA Bheerla Iliah, Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Rangareddy, and Devarakonda MLA Balu Naik.
With the Cabinet expansion before Ugadi considered almost certain, political circles and supporters of aspiring MLAs are closely watching who will secure a place in the ministry.
