The much-anticipated cabinet expansion in Telangana has turned into a source of frustration and disillusionment among Congress party leaders. Aspirants eagerly waiting for ministerial positions are left wondering if their names will ever make it to the final list. Hopes soar every time Chief Minister Revanth Reddy visits Delhi, but his return without any definitive announcements leaves many disheartened.
Over the past 11 months, CM Revanth Reddy has traveled to Delhi around 25 times, meeting with the party high command in a bid to finalize cabinet positions. Each visit raises expectations among Congress leaders, with rumors spreading that this time the wait might finally end.
However, these expectations have repeatedly been dashed. Even the appointment of Mahesh Kumar Goud as the new Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president brought no progress on cabinet expansion, leaving many leaders feeling neglected.
In contrast, the Congress government in Karnataka swiftly formed a full cabinet after assuming power. The Karnataka Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister took their oaths alongside eight ministers. Eleven days later, the cabinet was expanded to include 24 additional ministers, bringing the total to 34. Meanwhile, Telangana’s Congress government has yet to fill six vacant cabinet seats, even after 11 months in power.
Initially, many believed the expansion would take place after the Lok Sabha elections, but six months have passed since those elections, with no signs of progress. Festivals and key political occasions have repeatedly raised hopes among party members.
Rumors circulated about announcements during Shravana, Dussehra, and even Diwali, but each time, the promises remained unfulfilled. Aspirants pinned their hopes on every visit the CM made to Delhi, only to be disappointed upon his return.
The delay has sparked widespread confusion and debate within Congress circles. Leaders are questioning whether the high command is withholding approval for proposed names or if internal disagreements among CM Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and senior leader Uttam Kumar Reddy are to blame.
Key districts and influential social groups remain unrepresented in the cabinet, further fueling frustration among the party’s rank and file. Leaders from these communities have been vocal about their hopes for inclusion, but the prolonged inaction has left them disillusioned.
Furthermore, the delay in cabinet expansion and the absence of full-time ministers for key portfolios have paralyzed the administrative mechanism in the state.