Naidu inducts Muslim, tribal faces in AP cabinet

VIJAYAWADA

: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday inducted NMD Farooq and Kidari Sravan Kumar into his cabinet even as the election mood has set in the state.


The cabinet expansion was long over due and with the induction of Farooq and Sravan Kumar the state cabinet has representation from all sections of society. While Farooq is a senior Muslim leader from

Nandyal

in Rayalaseema, Sravan Kumar represents the tribal communities. He is the son of Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao, who was recently killed by Maoists.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Praja Vedika in Amaravati. Governor ESL Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the two ministers. The strength of the cabinet including the chief minister has not risen to 26.

While Farooq is a member of legislative council, Sravan Kumar is a member of neither the state assembly or the council. Farooq resigned from the chairmanship of the legislative council a day before the induction.

Expansion of the state cabinet just seven months before the state assembly elections has come as a surprise to many. However, the move is seen as calculated political step as Naidu chose a tribal and a Muslim into the cabinet. Both the communities do not have representation in the cabinet so far in present government.

Making his point clear, Naidu has said after the swearing in ceremony that he gave good representation to minorities. As Farooq has resigned as chairman of legislative council, another senior leader MA Sharif has been given a chance as chairman of legislative council. Another minority leader Chand Bhasha was also given the post of government whip, which is a cabinet rank. Naidu appealed to Muslim leaders, who gathered at the swearing in ceremony, to ensure that all votes from the principal minority community are polled in favour of Telugu Desam in the upcoming general elections.

Naidu also stressed upon the representation given to the tribal community in the cabinet. "Though we cannot bring back young and dynamic leader Kidari Sarveswara Rao, we are trying to fill the void by giving a chance to his son Sravan Kumar in the cabinet. Justifying his move he said Sravan is highly qualified and was preparing to appear for civil services. He is now the torch bearer of tribal hope and I will personally nurture him as a good leader" Naidu said.