KCR's Triggers Speculation On Cabinet Reshuffle

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's announcement on Tuesday that the nominated posts would be filled in by the Dasara festival (October 22) has triggered speculation, particularly in the ruling TRS party circles, over the possibility of a State Cabinet reshuffle also taking place before the festival.

A Cabinet reshuffle has been on the cards quite for some time now, and speculation was rife over the induction of 2-3 new faces into the council of ministers and the concomitant dropping of an equal number of ministers.

It is a known fact that the Chief Minister is keen on inducting one or two women into the Cabinet, as there is no representation for women currently, and it has resulted in criticism from many quarters, particularly the Opposition parties.

Also, the Chief Minister himself had made a public announcement that MLA K Eshwar would be made a minister.

In addition to these, KCR might go in for one or two new faces in the ministry.

As a consequence of these inductions, it will become necessary for the Chief Minister to drop 2-3 ministers from the Cabinet, since the number of ministers cannot exceed the current strength according to the rules.

It is said that actually it is this aspect - dropping 2-3 ministers - that is delaying the process of the reshuffle of the council of ministers, as the Chief Minister is reportedly finding it difficult to decide whom to drop, as it might cause heart-burn to those being dropped.

It is said that the Chief Minister will be assessing the performance of the ministers and the party MLAs during the ongoing Assembly session, to take decisions on inducting new faces and dropping ministers.

Party leaders, however, believe that KCR will affect the reshuffle before the Dasara festival.