Bonanza time for Muslim leaders in AP

Vijayawada: TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu breaking ties with the BJP has resulted in a bonanza time for Muslim leaders in the state. After taking a decision to induct a Muslim leader in the state Cabinet, Mr Naidu on Saturday announced two more posts for Muslim leaders.

While Legislative Council Chairman N.M.D. Farooq will be inducted into the Cabinet on Sunday, MLC M.A. Shareef has been named as his replacement. Mr Naidu ignored the claims of leaders of other communities.

Kadiri legislator Attar Chand Basha has been named as government whip. Mr Basha had defected to the TD from the YSRC and had expected a Cabinet berth. Due to political compulsions, Mr Basha was not taken into the Cabinet.

The Chief Minister on Saturday held a meeting with the Muslim TD leaders and public representatives who expressed their contentment with Mr Naidu giving them preference. Mr Naidu also explained to them why he could not give a Cabinet berth to the community for the last four years.

Mr Naidu broke the news of inducting Mr Farooq and Kidari Sravan, son of slain Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao, into the Cabinet when they met him separately.

Mr Naidu advised Mr Sravan to work in coordination with other ministers from the district and party leaders. He reminded him that though he was young and did not have political experience, he was being inducted out of respect for his father Sarveswara Rao who was killed by Maoists, and the sentiments attached to him in the tribal belt of Vizag district. Mr Farooq later tendered his resignation to as Council Chairman.