SC, BC legislators to be in K Chandrasekhar Rao team

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is said to have tentatively decided to accommodate one MLA each from the Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and Backward Classes, and four MLAs from the other communities in his first round of Cabinet expansion, which is expected on January 18. Sources in the party revealed that the party chief indicated in discussions with senior leaders that eight MLAs would be inducted in the first round. 

The first session of the newly elected State Legislative Assembly of Telangana is scheduled from January 17 to January 20.

The election of the speaker will be held on January 18 and the Governor will address a joint session of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council on January 19.

Sources close to the Mr Rao said he has already spoken to Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, former minister, and Padma Devender Reddy, former deputy speaker, for the post of Speaker of the Assembly. One of the two will likely be nominated for the post on the day of the election. 

Sources also revealed that senior party leaders told the party chief that it would be better to have a minister for legislative affairs during the Governor’s address.

Of the eight MLAs to be inducted into the cabinet in the first round, the CM will give representation to Nalgonda, Medak, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal, Mahabubnagar, Ranga Reddy and Adilabad districts, as Mahamood Ali, the only minister named so far, represents Hyderabad district.