AICC leaders in New Delhi have been discussing how to form a balanced cabinet and avoid disagreements among senior members. Revanth Reddy was summoned to New Delhi to finalize the list of council of ministers, and other aspirants and senior leaders also flew to Delhi to meet with AICC president and other party leaders. While they said it was a courtesy visit, they also expressed their interest in being part of the cabinet.
The leaders who went to Delhi for lobbying include N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who was also a front-runner for the CM’s post, D Sridhar Babu, Prem Sagar Rao, P Sudharshan Reddy, and Shabir Ali. After discussions with all the leaders and Revanth Reddy, the high command has decided that Revanth Reddy will be sworn in as chief minister along with six others at LB Stadium on Thursday. The oath of office will be administered by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.
The AICC leadership believes that further expansion of the cabinet should happen after all MLAs take oath in the Assembly and a new Speaker is elected, which is expected to take about a week. Uttam Kumar Reddy was offered the Speaker’s post but declined as he wants an important portfolio. It is uncertain if his name will be included in the first list of ministers or the second list.
There is some resentment among senior members over certain portfolios. D Sridhar Babu, P Sudarshan Reddy, and Komatireddy Venkatreddy also desire prime portfolios. To create a balanced cabinet, the names of two young MLAs, M Rohit and Yashaswini Reddy, have been cleared and they are likely to take oath on Thursday alongside Revanth. The cabinet will also include about four women ministers, including D Anasuya alias Seethakka.
