TRS eyeing 3 ministerial berths

HYDERABAD: Taking a U-turn from its earlier stand of not joining the state Congress ministry, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is likely to demand for a couple of ministerial berths much to the embarrassment of chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
The TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao is under pressure from the party legislators to take up ministerships in the state.This may cause inconvenience to the Rajasekhara Reddy who is not inclined to head a government with the participation of the TRS for obvious reasons. However, the Congress high command and the party''s state in charge Ghulam Nabi Azad have invited the TRS to join the governments at the state and centre.
The TRS leadership had promised its legislators that they would be accommodated in the new legislative council after it is revived and other nominated posts, to keep them in good humour. But they were particular about the ministerial berths in the state.
The party legislators were a disappointed lot when Chandrashekhara Rao announced that the TRS would not join the state government. The party chief had faced internal criticism for his decision. The TRS chief also came under attack from his functionaries for opting to join the union cabinet, but keeping away from state ministry.
The party is likely to ask for three ministerial berths and also demand for nominated posts of various assembly committees and eying for deputy speakership in the state.
Ghanpur MLA K Vijayarama Rao, from scheduled caste community who had defeated TDPs K Srihari is one of the front runner for ministerial berth, party sources said.
T Padma Rao and Nayani Narasimha Reddy (from Secunderabad and Musheerabad assembly segments) are also in the fray. For other posts, one legislator each from Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda are in the race, it is learnt. Also, five party legislators have already rushed to Delhi to lobby for berths.
The TRS parliamentary party meeting to be held on Tuesday would ''officially'' take a decision on joining the Union cabinet, sources said. The party is expected to get one ministry at the centre and Chandrashekhar Rao is the obvious choice. A Narendra, who had won from Medak Lok Sabha segment is tipped to become the party''s floor leader.