Telangana Cabinet reshuffle a crucial test for CM Revanth Reddy

CM Revanth Reddy has met with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal in New Delhi to discuss the cabinet expansion

The upcoming cabinet reshuffle in Telangana poses a significant challenge for chief minister A Revanth Reddy and the Congress leadership. There are six vacancies to fill, and numerous individuals are vying for these positions. Balancing caste considerations and regional representation has become a complicated and sensitive matter.

Recently, CM Revanth Reddy met with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal in New Delhi to discuss the cabinet expansion and the appointment of a new Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief. The meeting lasted for over an hour and did not result in an immediate consensus, leading to postponing the reshuffle for at least a week.

Sources suggest that the discussions focused on ensuring adequate representation for SCs, STs, BCs, and minorities while preventing the Reddys from dominating the cabinet.

Several MLAs, including Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, P. Sudarshan Reddy, Malreddy Ranga Reddy, T Rammohan Reddy, Premsagar Rao, Vakati Srihari Mudiraj, and G Vivekanand, are actively seeking cabinet positions.

The party leadership is cautious about appointing multiple members from the same political families and is focused on ensuring that important constituencies are fairly represented. Of particular interest is Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, whose brother Venkatareddy currently serves as the roads and buildings minister. This situation highlights the challenge the party leadership faces in maintaining unity while meeting the demands of different factions.

Health minister Damodar Raja Narasimha has hinted at possible changes, suggesting that Dansari Anasuya, also known as Seethakka, who currently holds the Panchayat Raj & Rural Development and Women & Child Welfare portfolios, might be appointed as the new home minister.

This potential shift signifies the strategic moves the leadership is considering to balance power within the cabinet while acknowledging the contributions of seasoned leaders.

Danam Nagender is a highly debated figure who moved to the Congress party after winning from Khairatabad on a BRS ticket.

The Congress had previously said that defectors from BRS would only be considered for ministerial positions if they contested an election on a Congress ticket.

However, Nagender's potential candidacy for a cabinet post is still a topic of discussion due to his influence in Hyderabad. Nevertheless, his history of switching parties and lack of loyalty challenge his candidacy. His recent unsuccessful bid for the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat further complicates his political journey and aspirations.

The potential inclusion of Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy in the cabinet is a significant point of contention.

Despite the Congress’s efforts to ensure diverse representation, Rajagopal Reddy's push for a cabinet berth, whose brother is already a minister, highlights the ongoing struggle to balance familial political influence with broader party interests.

This situation underscores the wider challenge of managing internal party dynamics while striving for a cabinet that reflects Telangana’s socio-political landscape.

The reshuffling of the cabinet is closely connected to the appointment of a new TPCC chief. The Congress leadership is considering appointing a leader from the BC community, as the current chief minister is a Reddy, and the deputy CM is an SC leader.

TPCC working president Mahesh Kumar Goud is a top contender for the position, with former MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud also in the running. Among SCs, Sampath Kumar actively seeks the role, while Mahabubabad MP Porike Balaram Naik is working to secure the position for the ST community. This delicate balancing of caste and community representation is critical for Congress as it aims to strengthen its support base for future elections.

The situation is becoming more complex with the entry of defectors from the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) to Congress, which could disrupt the political balance in multiple areas.

The leadership is cautious to avoid repeating the mistakes made by K Chandrasekhar Rao, who received criticism for bringing in many Congress MLAs between 2014 and 2023.

Since many BRS lawmakers previously had ties to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), there is a suspicion that Revanth Reddy might be forming a group of TDP alumni within the Telangana Congress. This perception introduces another layer of intrigue and strategic manoeuvring within the party as it aims to welcome new members while maintaining its core support.

Last week, Revanth Reddy met with Governor CP Radhakrishnan to discuss the upcoming cabinet expansion, indicating that the process is in its final stages. However, the high command’s insistence on meticulous planning and representation has resulted in a temporary delay. This decision reflects the leadership’s understanding of the critical nature of this reshuffle, not just for governance but also for maintaining internal party harmony and preparing for upcoming electoral battles.

As the Congress government grapples with these internal challenges, it also faces the arduous task of delivering on its pre-poll promises, particularly implementing the farm loan waiver for loans up to Rs 2 lakh by August 15.

With the BRS and BJP closely monitoring the situation for any missteps, the party also has to focus on governance and fulfilling its commitments to maintain public trust and political stability in the state. The pressure to deliver on these promises adds another layer of urgency to the cabinet reshuffle.