Telangana Cabinet to induct three new ministers from BC and SC community

Hyderabad: Three new ministers are set to be sworn into the Telangana cabinet at 12:19 noon on Sunday. The appointees are Adluri Lakshman (Madiga – SC), Vakati Srihari (Mudiraj – BC), and G. Vivek (Mala – SC). Their induction will raise the total number of ministers in the state cabinet to 15.

Additionally, ST MLA Ramanandra Nayak is appointed as the Deputy Speaker.

Chief minister Revanth Reddy congratulated the new ministers and deputy speaker on X. Notably, the name of MLA Rajagopal Reddy is absent from the list, despite earlier speculation.

Cabinet Expansion: Three Announced, Three Yet to Be Revealed

While the cabinet expansion includes six slots, only three names have been officially confirmed so far. The long-delayed expansion was initially scheduled for March but was postponed due to intense lobbying and political negotiations at the national level.

Sources indicate that demands for greater caste-based representation, particularly following the release of the caste census, influenced the final selections. There was also pressure from factions who had been promised cabinet positions during the pre-election phase.

Previously speculated names such as Sudarshan Reddy and Rajagopal Reddy did not make it to the final list.

Significance of Mudiraj Representation

Vakati Srihari's induction is strategically important for the Congress, especially to counter the growing influence of BJP MP Etela Rajender within the Mudiraj community. The caste census highlighted the need for stronger BC (Backward Classes) representation, with the Mudiraj community forming a significant portion of the population.

SC Inclusion Sends a Strong Message

The inclusion of Adluri Lakshman (Madiga – SC) and G. Vivek (Mala – SC) underscores the Congress party’s commitment to proportional caste representation. A senior party leader stated that this move reflects the high command’s intent to improve the presence of backward communities in governance, reinforcing their promises made before the elections.

Muslim Representation Sparks Concern

The announcement has triggered discontent among the Muslim community, with growing voices demanding fair representation in the state cabinet.

A Shift Away from Reddy Dominance

The expansion is also seen as a deliberate move to reduce the dominance of the Reddy community in the cabinet. A senior Congress leader remarked that while only three ministers have been added for now, the remaining three slots will be filled based on evolving political dynamics.

Keeping Options Open: A Strategic Move

By leaving three cabinet positions vacant, the party aims to motivate leaders from underrepresented communities to work actively at the grassroots level. According to sources, the central leadership is monitoring ground-level performance and is open to rewarding those who demonstrate commitment and contribution to the party’s growth in Telangana.