Revanth Reddy in New Delhi, likely to meet AICC leaders

On Thursday, the Chief Minister met with several Union Ministers to discuss various issues, including pending projects and funds owed to the State. Speculation suggests that he may meet All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders on Friday to deliberate on cabinet expansion and the appointment of nominees to vacant posts.

Hyderabad: With Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy visiting New Delhi, aspirants expecting a berth in cabinet and nominated posts, are keeping their fingers crossed.

On Thursday, the Chief Minister met a few union Ministers and raised a few issues, including pending projects and funds due for the State. There is speculation that he is likely to meet All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders and discuss cabinet expansion and filling up of nominated posts on Friday.

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The Chief Minister flew to New Delhi from Jaipur, while the Deputy Chief Minister, who was already in the national capital, flew back to Hyderabad on Thursday evening. He had already participated in a meeting with the Chief Minister along with Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and D Sridhar Babu on Tuesday before leaving for New Delhi.

The cabinet expansion and filling up of nominated posts exercise has been pending for a long time and the aspirants are getting restless. Initially, the party had assured that cabinet expansion would take place after Lok Sabha elections, later it was to be done during Sravana masam, then it was delayed to Diwali and now there is speculation that the exercise could be done before Sankranthi.

At present, there are six vacancies in the cabinet. Many leaders are aspiring for berths in the cabinet and the party is keen to ensure a social and regional balance in the expansion this time. There is a buzz in the party that leaders from four erstwhile districts and six communities would be given priority in the cabinet expansion.

From Nalgonda, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, Beerla Ilaiah and others are strong contenders. In Nizamabad, former Minister P Sudarshan Reddy is in the frontline and from Adilabad there is a competition between Prem Sagar Rao and Gaddam Vivek. In Karimnagar, government whips Adluri Laxman and Adi Srinivas are eyeing a berth and from Mahabubnagar, Makthal MLA Srihari is in the race.

From Greater Hyderabad, former Minister Danam Nagender and Fahim Qureshi and from Rangareddy, Malreddy Rangareddy, MLC Patnam Mahender Reddy and Parigi MLA Rammohan Reddy are keen on cabinet berths.

A section of leaders apprehensive

With local bodies elections fast approaching, a section of leaders in Gandhi Bhavan are apprehensive about the timing of cabinet expansion.

Considering the fact that only six cabinet berths are available, the leaders fear that those who fail to get the berths may get disappointed and lack motivation to work in the elections.

“There is every possibility that one leader who is aspiring for a post, if not considered, may refrain from actively campaigning in the local bodies. This could make things adverse for the party,” a senior leader said.