Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-designate N. Chandrababu Naidu is likely to take oath of office along with at least six Ministers on Sunday.
Mr. Naidu initially contemplated on taking oath alone during the swearing-in ceremony planned to be held at a venue opposite Acharya Nagarjuna University campus on Krishna-Guntur border since several dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi were invited to attend the event. The TDP chief is, however, said to have changed his plans given the uncertainty over Mr. Modi’s visit.
“We have handed over an invitation personally and requested the Prime Minister to attend the ceremony. We have to wait and see,” was how an MP reacted. Mr. Naidu, in the meanwhile, sounded some party MLAs to be ready for swearing-in along with him, as can be seen from the invitation extended to senior leaders and Union Ministers.
There is no clarity on the exact composition of the Cabinet as yet since Mr. Naidu has reportedly not revealed his choice to even senior party leaders. Names of several MLAs are, however, doing rounds as prospective candidates for induction into the Cabinet.
Senior MLAs Kodela Sivaprasada Rao (Guntur), Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy (Chittoor) and K.E. Krishnamurthy (Kurnool) are among the probables. Party sources said the name of MLA Paritala Sunitha has almost been cleared to represent Anantapur as film star-turned-politician N. Balakrishna was not inclined to join the Cabinet.
Senior leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu is being tipped to become the Deputy CM in line with Mr. Naidu’s commitment to give the post to a candidate from weaker sections.
