Revanth To Select Team 2028 With Cabinet Rejig
Ministers likely to lose some portfolios
HYDERABAD: Ministers in the Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy Cabinet have been putting on a brave face amidst speculation of a reshuffle which may not strip them of their posts but would certainly see a change in their portfolios.
Ministers drew confidence about their continuance in the Cabinet from the belief that the Chief Minister would not take any drastic step, but were unsure of retaining their portfolios which they may have to forgo as part of bargaining. The Chief Minister too, according to party sources, would effect changes, if at all, not out of any sense of insecurity but to go to the electorate in 2028 or 2029 with a team that would ensure that the Congress retained power.
“Revanth Reddy is in a commendable position and his standing is increasing following the party’s success in election after election. But, to ensure the Congress stays in power in 2029, he has to have a team that is formed by taking all permutations and combinations into consideration and a team that will perform better,” sources close to the Chief Minister pointed out.
The Chief Minister may not have to struggle with the decision-making to a large extent, because the number of ministers facing axe will be minimal, except while dealing with the increasing demand to create another post of Deputy Chief Minister and appoint a legislator from the Backward Classes community, one more display of party’s commitment to BC empowerment. In 2023, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka insisted on and got approval from the Congress high command to be the lone Deputy Chief Minister.
“Revanth Reddy is enjoying a comfortable position which no other Congress Chief Minister, except Dr Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy in the past. We have completely accepted or rather surrendered to his leadership. Though he is in a commanding position now, we are confident that the CM will not upset the applecart,” a minister said.
The ministers were of the view that they had not made any move nor uttered a word that would bring down the Chief Minister’s stature in the last two-and-a-half years.
The principal opposition Bharata Rashtra Samithi in a methodic approach has been targeting one minister at a time, starting with Jupally Krishna Rao and followed by N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Danasari ‘Seetakka’ Anasuya and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, the latter coming under heavy attack recently.
“The BRS, as an opposition party, is doing everything to keep itself afloat. It is targeting ministers to show that the Cabinet is corrupt. If you look at the allegations, they are not only baseless but also exposed the dual standards of the Opposition party,” another minister said, but adding that even a change in portfolios at this stage would lend credence to the BRS’ allegations.
