Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao to delay cabinet expansion

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has put Cabinet expansion on hold as of now. Though there was speculation that the Chief Minister would fill the remaining six Cabinet berths this month end, he was said to have postponed it till July, ostensibly busy with administrative matters and also given the intense lobbying. Sources said that Mr Rao now plans to undertake the Cabinet expansion before the next Assembly Session, likely in July.

Mr Rao was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the new Telangana state on June 2, the Appointed Date for formation of Telangana, along with 11 ministers. Mr Rao can still induct six ministers in the Cabinet.

While there are many aspirants among the 63 TRS MLAs besides MLCs, there is no representation in the cabinet from Khammam and Mahabubnbnagar districts as of now. Unable to tackle the pressure, the CM reportedly put off the cabinet expansion. Mr Swami Goud has been frequently calling KCR to induct him in the cabinet and the Chief Minister.

The CM inducted two MLCs, Md Mahamood Ali as Deputy Chief Minister with portfolios of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation and Home Minister, Mr Nayani Narasimha Reddy in the cabinet. The CM is keen on giving representation to every district.

While Mr T Padma Rao, who is the lone winner from Secunderabad assembly constituency in Hyderabad district, has been inducted into the cabinet and given the plum portfolio of Excise, another lone winner, Mr Jalagam Venkat Rao from Kothagudem in Khammam district failed to get berth because of the caste factor, it is learnt.