Rajgopal Reddy’s chances for Cabinet berth brighten as two strong contenders rewarded with key posts

Hyderabad

The appointment of Bodhan MLA P. Sudarshan Reddy as Government Advisor for Implementation of flagship schemes, and Mancherial MLA K. Prem Sagar Rao as Chairman of the Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation with Cabinet ranks, might pave the way for Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy’s entry into the Cabinet.

Both Mr. Sudarshan Reddy and Mr. Prem Sagar Rao had been strong aspirants for ministerial berths along with Mr. Rajgopal Reddy. In June this year, when three vacancies were filled, the three leaders had expressed displeasure at being overlooked.

Mr. Sudarshan Reddy, who served as a Minister in the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cabinet, is also the personal choice of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. However, the party high command could not accommodate two more Reddy candidates due to social equations and ignored them in the last expansion.

To placate Mr. Sudarshan Reddy, he is now offered the role of Advisor to oversee the implementation of flagship welfare and development programmes with Cabinet status and also entry into Cabinet meetings. Mr. Prem Sagar Rao will also enjoy the Cabinet status.

As both the leaders are now almost ruled out as Ministers, Mr. Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy remains left out, even as speculation intensifies that he may soon find a place in the Cabinet.

Mr. Rajgopal Reddy, who joined Congress along with Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and G. Vivek played a key role in bolstering the party’s image ahead of the Assembly elections. Their defection had sent strong signals of erosion in BRS and BJP ranks while strengthening Congress under Mr. Revanth Reddy.

While Ponguleti made it to the Cabinet in the first round and Vivek in the second, Rajgopal Reddy missed out, largely because his elder brother Komatireddy Venkata Reddy is already a Cabinet Minister, and another senior leader from the same district, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, also holds a Cabinet position.

Accommodating a third Reddy leader from the same district, and two from one family, would have been politically difficult.

Despite his repeated expressions of dissatisfaction, Mr Rajgopal Reddy has publicly denied rumours of quitting the Congress. He, however, revealed openly that a cabinet berth was promised to him while joining the Congress, and the party should honour it.

With another two vacancies remaining, Mr. Reddy’s chances of making it shine brighter in the changed political scenario. However, the final decision lies with the party high command.