The Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s announcement on Tuesday that the nominated posts will be filled-in by Dasara festival (October 22), has triggered speculation, particularly in the ruling TRS party circles, on the possibility of State Cabinet reshuffle also taking place before the festival.
It may be mentioned that the State Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards quite for sometime now, and speculation was rife over inducting of two, three new faces in the Council of Ministers and also dropping of an equal number of Ministers. It is a known fact that the Chief Minister was keen on inducting one or two women in the Ministry, as there was no representation for women in it, and it has become a point of criticism from many quarters, particularly the opposition parties. Also, the Chief Minister himself had made a public announcement that K Eshwar, MLA, would be made a Minister. In addition to these, KCR might go in for one or two new faces in the Ministry.
As a consequent of these inductions, it becomes necessary for the Chief Minister to drop two, three Ministers from the existing one. This is essential because the Number of Ministers cannot exceed the present strength, according to the Rules. It is said that actually, it is this aspect, dropping two, three Ministers, that is delaying the process of reshuffle of the Council of Ministers, as the Chief Minister is reportedly finding it difficult to decide on whom the drop, as it might cause heart-burn to those who were to be dropped.
It is also said that the Chief Minister would be assessing the performance of the Ministers and the party MLAs during the present Assembly session, to enable him to take decisions on inducting of new faces and dropping of present Ministers. Party leaders, however, believe that KCR would affect the reshuffle before the Dasara festival, in all probability. (NSS)
KCR’S Talk Of Nominated Posts, Triggers Speculation On Cabinet Reshuffle
