K Chandrasekhar Rao might decide on Cabinet before February 6

Hyderabad: In view of the ensuing elections, the BJP government at the Central government has decided to introduce a vote on account budget on February 1 and Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, too, announced a vote on account budget in the state in February.

The political parties expect the Election Commission of India (ECI) to issue a schedule for the Lok Sabha elections any time between the last week of February and first week of March.

Once the EC announces the schedule, the model code of conduct comes into force and it will become an obstacle for the announcement of Budget  and other welfare schemes.

With this possible scenario, TRS MLAs feel the party chief was likely to decide on the Cabinet expansion before February 6.

TRS leaders and cadres also say that Mr Rao, a staunch believer in astrology and numerology will not take any of his programmes without the advice of astrologers and pundits he trusts.

Sources in the party said Mr Rao has been spending most of his time with noted pundits and seers at his farmhouse discussing the auspicious days on which to carry out Cabinet expansion.

According to sources, the chief minister is said to have enquired pundits about auspicious dates between January 30, 31 and February 6 and has kept the answer close to his chest.

Mr T. Kumar Shashtri, a city astrologer, said January 30 being Dasami and January 31 Ekadasi, both days are auspicious to perform ceremonies. But he said February 6 was more auspicious, as the Magha Masam starts from that day. It is a good date even for marriages. Lots of weddings have been lined up on that day in the two Telugu states.