AP Cabinet may get deputy CM from Telangana

Dramatic changes in the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh is expected with the AICC planning an expansion in the state Cabinet.

Dramatic changes in the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh is expected with the AICC planning an expansion in the state Cabinet. The induction of a deputy chief minister from the Telangana region, to pacify some sections of the Congress, is also on the cards.

According to sources, Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had visited New Delhi to take up these issues with party President Sonia Gandhi. The AICC has reportedly instructed Reddy to induct only 8220;experienced ministers8221; should be inducted. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee APCC President K Keshava Rao told The Indian Express, 8220;There will definitely be no first-timer MLAs or MLCs in the expanded Cabinet. Only those MLAs with one or two previous terms under their belts will be considered.8221;

There are currently 24 ministers in Reddy8217;s Cabinet. While the Chief Minister can expand the total number to a maximum of 24, sources said that he will probably add only around 10 more ministers. Currently, most ministers are 8220;over-burdened8221; with a number of portfolios. For example, I038;PR Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir also holds the ministries for Energy and Coal, Panchayati Raj and Endowments.

According to sources, Reddy is also planning to replace at least six ministers. Reportedly, YSR is not happy with their performance over the past three years.

Meanwhile, some sections of the state Congress have raised a demand for creating the post of Deputy Chief Minister and appoint a backward class MLA from the Telangana region for this post. While many senior leaders are in favour of this position, the Chief Minister himself is opposed to it. Keshava Rao said: 8220;There are two views for this. First, this will placate the demand for Telangana. This is not true, and some people are just holding this as a carrot for Telangana. Second, some say there should constitutionally be a deputy CM from Telangana.

Historically, even this is not true as the former Chief Minister Vijay Bhaskar Reddy had a Backward Class from the Andhra region as a deputy.8221; The AICC has reportedly left it for the Chief Minister to decide and Keshava Rao said it is still being decided.