Anticipation around the much-awaited cabinet expansion in Telangana continues to build, following CM Revanth Reddy’s recent visit to Delhi. However, doubts persist among leaders regarding whether the expansion will occur this week or face further delays.
It is reported that unless a significant breakthrough happens, the expansion may be postponed yet again, attributed to the ongoing struggle within the Congress leadership to reach a consensus on cabinet posts. The delay has reportedly stemmed from disagreements involving Congress veterans and newer entrants to the party.
CM Revanth Reddy, who returned to Delhi after a stop in Jaipur, is said to have spent an entire day waiting for an appointment with Rahul Gandhi, which did not materialize. Instead, the CM reportedly met with Union ministers. It is being said that if a meeting with Rahul Gandhi does not occur by Friday, Revanth may seek further consultations with central ministers.
Despite multiple discussions with senior Congress leaders on cabinet composition, sources indicate that a consensus remains elusive. A notable point of contention involves the selection of a senior leader from Adilabad district. The treasurer of the Congress party, backed by two prominent party veterans, has been pushing for a ministerial berth. However, the top state leader is opposing this move, arguing that representation from the Velama community, which already has a minister, should not be duplicated.
The inclusion of a BC leader in the cabinet has sparked further debate. While the Mudiraj community was initially proposed for representation, a senior Congress leader reportedly resisted the selection of a Mudiraj MLA from the Mahabubnagar district. Subsequently, the name of a Munnur Kapu leader, a new entrant into the party, from the Karimnagar district was brought forward, only to face opposition from Congress veterans within the same region.
The Mala and Madiga factions within the SC community have also intensified their campaigns for cabinet representation. The Mala community recently demonstrated its influence through a large public meeting in Hyderabad, while the Madigas continue to push for classification-related demands.
While a ministerial berth is currently held by a Mala leader, the Madiga faction argues for equitable representation, suggesting that one of the two brothers from Adilabad district could fill the position.
In addition to the SC groups, leaders from the Muslim minority and ST communities are also vying for representation. The name of an MLC from Hyderabad belonging to the Muslim community has reportedly been proposed. Meanwhile, leaders from the Nalgonda district have suggested appointing a tribal leader, with a Congress stalwart from the Nagarjuna Sagar area endorsing the idea.
Ironically, the cabinet expansion, intended to solidify Congress’s footing in Telangana, has instead become a reflection of the party’s internal challenges.