Congress high command may assert authority in Telangana cabinet expansion

The Congress high command's approval of the Karnataka cabinet expansion has revived expectations of a Telangana cabinet expansion. Aspirants are intensifying lobbying efforts amid speculation over vacant berths, portfolio reshuffles and the possible induction of Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar

Hyderabad: The Congress high command’s approval for the Karnataka cabinet expansion on Monday has rekindled hopes among leaders awaiting induction into the Telangana cabinet.

Drawing parallels with Karnataka, party leaders at Gandhi Bhavan believe the high command may finally assert its authority in Telangana. There is a growing sense that the wings of the State leadership, which has been accused of taking unilateral decisions, may be clipped. Apart from filling the two vacant cabinet berths, there is growing speculation that it could also reshuffle ministerial portfolios. The buzz comes amid reports of internal differences within the State cabinet, with some ministers allegedly complaining about colleagues interfering in their departments.

---

With two vacancies in the Telangana cabinet, several leaders remain in contention. Aspirants from the erstwhile Rangareddy, Nalgonda and Nizamabad districts have been actively lobbying for ministerial posts over the past year.

Speculation is also rife that Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar could be inducted into the cabinet. TPCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud is also being seen as a strong contender for a ministerial berth. If Prasad Kumar joins the cabinet, attention will shift to who will succeed him as Speaker, a question that is being widely discussed in political circles and at Gandhi Bhavan.

Meanwhile, the Congress high command is believed to be unhappy over the controversy surrounding the rejection of AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination. Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya had alleged that Telangana Congress leaders sabotaged her nomination.

The allegations triggered criticism of the State leadership. TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud had announced that the Telangana government would investigate how information about a pending court case against Meenakshi Natarajan was leaked and take stringent action against those responsible.

However, there has been no visible progress in the inquiry, leading many within the party to believe the issue has quietly been pushed aside.

Adding to the unease, several “original” Congress leaders have complained of being sidelined in appointments to party and government posts.

Leaders lobbying with the party high command have reportedly highlighted these concerns while seeking cabinet berths. Many loyal Congress leaders now hope the impending cabinet exercise will finally bring them due recognition.