With the expected induction of two leaders from the district, senior MLA Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu returns to the Cabinet with the TDP at the helm in the newly-formed Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. Ganta Srinivasa Rao has proved his ‘lucky mascot’ reputation again by being on the winning side and finding a berth in the Cabinet.
Though he won as MLA on Praja Rajyam ticket in 2009 from Anakapalle, after its merger with Congress he became a minister in the Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet.
Before the 2014 elections, he had joined the TDP and won from Bheemunipatnam Assembly constituency.
While Mr. Patrudu, in TDP since inception, brings with him the experience of being in the cabinets of NTR and Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, the enterprising Mr. Srinivasa Rao represents the next generation, though not age-wise.
Keeping the pre-poll bitterness between the two in view, it appears to be a balancing act.
Another former minister and senior legislator Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy who belongs to the same community as Patrudu did not find a place in the Cabinet.