KCR inducts ten legislators, new and old into cabinet

In a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday, Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrasekhar Rao has expanded his two-member cabinet by inducting ten more ministers, including six new faces. No woman MLA was given a berth during this phase of expansion of the cabinet as anticipated.

Governor ESL Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at the lawns of the Rajbhavan in the presence of Chief Minister KCR, home Minister Mahmood Ali and others. Among those inducted are: Allolla Indrakaran Reddy, Talasani Srinivasa Yadav, Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Koppula Eswar, Eatala Rajender, V Srinivas Goud, Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, G Jagdish Reddy, Yerrabelli Dayakar Rao and Ch Malla Reddy.

Out of the ten members inducted today, Niranjan Reddy, Srinivas Goud, Koppula Eswar, Prashanth Reddy, Dayakar Rao, Malla Reddy are new and the others got a second chance to work with KCR. KCR’s son K Taraka Rama Rao who is now the working president of the party and KCR’s nephew and former irrigation minister T Harish Rao, former deputy CM, Kadiam Srihari, and ministers Lakshma Reddy and Jogu Ramanna were not given a second chance. However, they might get considered

“I am a loyal soldier of the party and the Chief Minister. I will take up any responsibility given to me by my leader. I also urge all my followers not to post baseless news on social media, I don't support such kind of activity,” Harish Rao told media after the swearing-in ceremony. Sources in the party say that KCR might use Harish’s services in Loksabha or he might have to wait till the next phase of expansion which might take place after general elections.

The State Cabinet can have a maximum of 18 ministers, including the Chief Minister since the total number can’t exceed 15 per cent of the State Legislative Assembly strength of 119 legislators.