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Hans India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Cabinet Berths…Aspirants with followers knock at PCC chief's doors in protest
Hyderabad: Aspirants and their followers who failed to get cabinet berths made a beeline to register their protest with PCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Thursday. Leaders from Munnuru Kapu, Yadav and Golla Kuruma communities, who were hopeful of getting representation in Cabinet, were not properly represented. Followers of Govt Whips Beerla Ilaiah, Aadi Srinivas demanded that they be given opportunity in Cabinet from the remaining three positions. Following his meeting with Mahesh Goud, Beerla Ilaiah briefed the media at Gandhi Bhavan. He emphasised that social justice was possible only with the Congress and reminded that under United Andhra Pradesh, Golla and Kuruma communities were always represented in the Cabinet. He said that currently there are 22 lakh Yadavs and 6 lakh Kurumas in Telangana. Ilaiah demanded from the PCC that Gollas and Kurumas be given cabinet berths, a position of government advisor, an MLC, five corporation chairman posts, five commission members, a working president, three vice presidents, eight general secretaries and five DCC presidents in the party. They expressed their grievance that though justice was done to the BCs, injustice was done to the Gollas and Kurumas. He praised CM Revanth Reddy for giving priority to BC, SC and ST in government and party posts. He reminded the PCC chief that had assured that he would definitely provide opportunities to Gollas and Kurumas in the upcoming party posts. Meanwhile, Munnur Kapu leaders demanded that Aadi Srinivas be given a ministry post from the three unfulfilled Cabinet berths. Representatives of different associations of Munnuru Kapu and Aadi Srinivas's constituency, Vemulawada also visited Gandhi Bhavan and held meetings with Mahesh Kumar Goud. The leaders reminded PCC president about their contribution to Telangana's struggle and later bringing to power the Congress in 2023. Similarly, Muslim leaders expressed dissatisfaction over the State leadership's failure to accommodate a Muslim face in cabinet. However, they hoped that in the near future at least there will be one Minister from the Muslim community who will also handle Minority Welfare.
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Telangana Cabinet expansion: A calculated move towards social justice
The long-awaited expansion of the Telangana Cabinet reflected the Congress Government's commitment to social justice and inclusive representation. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy gave the final touches on Saturday (June 7, 2025) night on what appears to be a politically astute, yet socially balanced reshuffle, since the all the three new Ministers are from the marginalised communities. The expansion underscores Revanth Reddy's 'social justice formula', which he has consistently advocated since assuming office. The decision to induct three Ministers from downtrodden castes, including one from the Mudiraj community, aligns with the Congress's larger social narrative and follows in the wake of the recent caste survey conducted by the government. Ponnam Prabhkar from the Goud Community and Konda Surekha from Munnuru Kapus, two strong OBC communities (Konda Surekha is a Padmashali but her husband is a Munnuru Kapu) have already been accommodated in the initial Cabinet formation. The addition of a Mudiraj Minister now brings balance among the dominant Backward Classes. Notably, for the first time in Telangana's political history, four Ministers from Scheduled Castes (SCs) will serve simultaneously in the Cabinet, a record, especially when the Speaker of the Assembly also belongs to the SC community. This is being seen as a direct reflection of Rahul Gandhi's influence, pushing the party toward greater representation for the marginalised. However, the expansion is not without its political friction. Three berths remain vacant, with Minorities and Scheduled Tribes (STs) still awaiting representation. The move has left Reddy leaders, traditionally powerful in Telangana politics, on the sidelines, caught in a power tussle between Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and P. Sudershan Reddy. The three vacancies are directly related to the party's dilemma in choosing one among them. P Sudershan Reddy, a Congress veteran worked in Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy's Cabinet in the combined State. His name was pushed hard by the CM Revanth Reddy with the high command. Rajgopal Reddy, in particular, is likely to feel betrayed, as his return to Congress from the BJP before the elections was reportedly conditional upon a Cabinet berth. Even the party high command was in his favour, but the challenge was to balance the equations. His brother Komatireddy Venkata Reddy is already in the Cabinet and so is N. Uttam Kumar Reddy — both from the combined Nalgonda district. Another Minister from the same district and that too from Reddy community looks near impossible in the Cabinet structure. Ironically, G. Vivek Venkatswamy, who joined the Congress alongside Rajgopal Reddy, has made it into the Cabinet. Vivek's inclusion, though beneficial in optics and outreach, given his media influence and his father G. Venkataswamy's legacy, may trigger accusations of dynasty politics. His brother G. Vinod, is a sitting MLA, and his son, G. Vamshi Krishna, is an MP, raising eyebrows within the party. Another notable omission is Prem Sagar Rao from Adilabad, a loyalist who held the party's flag high in northern Telangana when most of the leadership switched sides to BRS or BJP between 2014 and 2024. His exclusion suggests that loyalty alone does not guarantee the reward. First-time faces All the new entrants are first-time MLAs, symbolising a push for fresh blood in the government. While this bodes well for generational change and grassroots connection, it also reveals the influence of Revanth Reddy, who had his mark in the selection. The careful balancing of caste identities, combined with political consolidation, points to a strategic repositioning by the Congress in Telangana. The move signals to voters that the party is serious about social justice, while also subtly laying the groundwork for the 2029 battle. Minority and STs await their chance With Minority and ST representation still pending, and Reddy leaders restive, this expansion is likely just the beginning of a broader political evolvement. Whether this bold social justice experiment will yield long-term gains or internal discord will depend on how Revanth Reddy manages party expectations, governance performance, and caste equations in the months ahead.
