Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao decided to give a go by to the tradition of inducting women in Cabinet by ignoring the claims of at least two strong contenders.
He overlooked the chances of Warangal MLA Konda Surekha and Asifabad MLA Kova Laxmi, both of whom were aspirants on different grounds. In fact, TRS circles argued that Ms. Laxmi’s inclusion would have satisfied not only the woman, but tribal composition of the Cabinet as she belonged to the Gond tribe.
Strong messageIn the case of Mr. Srinivas Yadav, sources said it was not only the elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation that Mr. Rao considered but the former’s background as a representative of Yadava community while deciding to induct him in the Cabinet. Mr. Yadav is expected to resign as MLA of Telugu Desam to avoid a political storm though he was not bound legally, they added. By including Mr. Yadav, Mr. Tummala Nageswara Rao and Mr. Indrakaran Reddy, M. Rao wanted to send out a strong message that outsiders to TRS would be as much recognised as party leaders. Apart from hailing from Khammam which was not represented in the Cabinet, the main reason for Mr. Nageswara Rao making it was that he belonged to the powerful Kamma community.
As for Mr. Indrakaran Reddy, sources said there was no justifiable reason for his inclusion. He won on behalf of Bahujan Samaj Party. Mr. Chandulal will become a Minister after 25 years as he was in the Cabinet of N.T. Rama Rao for ten months in 1989. He was twice elected as Warangal MP in 1996 and 1998. The Chief Minister decided to give representation to both the strong claimants from Mahabaubnagar—Mr Jupalli Krishana Rao and Mr Lakshman Reddy.
Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao spoke to the Ministers designate over phone after forwarding the list to Raj Bhavan. He has convened a meeting of the Cabinet to discuss Hyderabad related issues at 2 p.m.
