KURNOOL: Many prominent political families in Kurnool and Nandyal, such as the Kotla, Bhuma and KE, failed to get Cabinet positions in the new government.
Each family had a winning candidate from their respective constituencies, but the Telugu Desam preferred three candidates from diverse backgrounds, two of them freshers. The only senior leader and former minister from Nandyal city, N.M.D. Farooq, was given an opportunity. He was sworn in as minister for the fourth time.
These families have been in politics for long, their fathers and forefathers having served as legislators and ministers. Though they won seats this time too, they ended up on the sidelines.
Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy, son of former chief minister Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, served as a Union minister and is a senior party member. He defeated finance minister Buggana Rajendranath in Dhone. His followers expected a minister post for him. Instead, the party chose B.C. Janardhan Reddy from Banaganapalle.
Another senior leader, former minister Bhuma Akhila Priya from Allagadda, was in a tight contest with Gangula family member and sitting legislator Brijendra but ultimately won the seat. She hoped to be inducted into the Cabinet, but the party picked former minister Farooq.
The KE family supported Kotla and others in securing victories. Telugu Desam offered a ticket to Shyam Kumar, son of K.E. Krishna Murthy, who won from Pathikonda. Their followers are upset no minister post came to the family this time.
Further, senior members B.V. Jayanageswara Reddy from Yemmiganur, Budda Rajasekhar Reddy from Srisailam and BJP candidate V. Partha Sarathi from Adoni were also not considered for minister posts. Their followers are feeling demoralised.
