With government formation imminent, several names are doing the rounds within TRS circles for ministerial berths in Chief Minister-designate K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s Cabinet. Even portfolios of the likely candidates are being discussed.
T. Harish Rao could get key subjects of Power, Irrigation and Agriculture, while Etela Rajender is likely to be assigned the portfolios of Finance and Education. The latter was offered the Home Ministry, but he was not ready to take up the role. The all-important subject might be given to Mohammed Mahmood Ali, who is tipped to be Deputy Chief Minister.
The name of KCR’s son K. Tarakarama Rao figured for Information and Technology and Industries, T. Rajaiah or C. Laxma Reddy for Health, Konda Surekha for Social Welfare and S. Jagadeeshwar Reddy for Panchayat Raj. Jogu Ramanna, Jupally Krishna Rao, P. Mahender Reddy, T. Padma Rao and Jalagam Venkat Rao are also being considered for ministerial posts, sources said.
Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and T. Chandulal are being considered for the post of Speaker. The former is learnt to be reluctant, as he is inclined to join the Cabinet. He could be allotted the Municipal Administration Ministry, sources added.
Meanwhile, KCR on Thursday hinted at the possibility of heading a 15-member Cabinet as the figure corresponds to his lucky number 6 (the sum of 5 and 1). He made the observation at a meeting of Telangana employees at Kompally where he said he might go for a Cabinet of 14 or 15 members.
He raised his fingers when employees wanted K. Swamy Goud and V. Srinivas Goud, both employees’ leaders, to be drafted into his Cabinet.
