Cabinet buzz returns as T govt nears halfway mark

Key Meeting In June 2nd Week, Aspirants Knock AICC Doors For 2 Vacant BerthsHyderabad: With the Congress govt set to complete two-and-a-half years in office on June 7, the focus has shifted back to long-pending cabinet expansion and a possible reshuffle, with the party high command reportedly keen on filling the two vacant berths in the Telangana cabinet.Sources indicated that chief minister A Revanth Reddy could also discuss a wider cabinet reshuffle with the Congress leadership as the party begins preparing for the next electoral cycle.The AICC is expected to convene a meeting with Revanth, deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka, irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan in the second week of June to take a call on the issue.“The cabinet expansion is imminent. However, a final decision on reshuffle is yet to be taken. The Jubilee Hills bypoll, gram panchayat and municipal elections are over. The elections to four states are over, leaving the high command to concentrate on Karnataka and Telangana. The AICC leadership has already been flooded with letters from restless aspirants for cabinet berths and working presidents,” said a senior AICC leader.Sources close to Revanth said the chief minister is also considering a reshuffle of portfolios and replacing a few ministers to create space for leaders who have remained outside the cabinet despite working for the party. However, such a move is likely only after elections to GHMC, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri municipal corporations. Sources said the cabinet expansion would be done in the coming days unless Revanth is able to convince the party high command to wait until the GHMC elections are concluded.Despite Revanth consolidating his position with victories in Jubilee Hills bypoll, panchayat and municipal elections, and playing a crucial role in defeating the women’s reservation bill in Parliament, the AICC leadership wants to be sure that a good team is in place ahead of the next assembly and Lok Sabha elections, a leader said.Meanwhile, lobbying for cabinet positions has intensified. Sources said Munugode MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy is emerging as a strong contender for one of the two vacancies, while leaders from Lambada (ST), BC, Reddy and Velama communities are also pushing for representation.The AICC has reportedly sought performance reports of ministers and initiated its own feedback exercise to assess public perception before taking a final call.GFX:Aspirants for two vacant cabinet berthsKomatireddy Raj Gopal ReddyMalreddy Ranga ReddyT Ram Mohan ReddyBalu NaikK Premsagar RaoAnother name that has emerged as being in serious contention is assembly speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar belonging to the SC community.A couple of BC leaders too are lobbying.If Revanth is allowed to take up a reshuffle, at least two ministers who shouted their mouths off and caused embarrassment to the party and the govt, may be replaced with new faces.There is also a talk that a Lambada community leader may be given either a working president or TPCC president post. If the TPCC chief post is given, then incumbent Mahesh Goud, who is also a MLC may be given a cabinet berth.Ends