Rahul Gandhi expresses displeasure over final cabinet list, expansion delayed
HYDERABAD: Unforeseen developments have emerged during the Telangana cabinet expansion process, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressing strong displeasure over the final list of proposed ministers submitted by the state leadership. According to sources, Gandhi was upset that his suggestion to prioritise social groups over individuals was ignored in the finalised list.
Congress state leaders met senior party figures Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Parliament on Thursday, where the cabinet composition was discussed. Party insiders revealed that if Rahul had approved the list submitted by TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, the swearing-in ceremony would have taken place on April 7. However, with Rahul unequivocally rejecting the list, the expansion has now been further delayed.
Shock for TPCC President from Rahul Gandhi
Within Congress circles, it is being discussed that two names leaked to the media from Gandhi Bhavan were excluded by the AICC. For the past ten days, pro-Congress media and social media had widely reported that Rajgopal Reddy, Sudarshan Reddy, Vakiti Srihari, and Gaddam Vivek were confirmed for cabinet positions. However, Rahul Gandhi was reportedly angered by the inclusion of Rajgopal Reddy and Sudarshan Reddy in the list, citing that the Reddy community was already sufficiently represented in the cabinet. He is said to have questioned TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud on the rationale behind nominating two more individuals from the same community.
Rahul is also said to have objected to the proposal of giving another ministerial berth to a member of the same family, questioning why Rajgopal Reddy should be included when his brother Komatireddy Venkat Reddy is already a minister. When Mahesh Kumar Goud tried to justify the inclusion by saying the party had promised a ministerial post to Rajgopal Reddy upon his joining, Rahul reportedly retorted that, in that case, Venkat Reddy should be excluded in favour of Rajgopal Reddy. According to Delhi-based Congress sources, Rahul made it clear that priority should be given to social representation, not individuals.
Rahul Gandhi is said to have questioned how many members from the Backward Classes were included in the proposed list. Mahesh Kumar Goud reportedly responded that there were already two ministers from BC communities and that a proposal for a third had been sent. However, Rahul is believed to have insisted that not one but two additional BC candidates should be considered.
As a result, new equations are emerging in the cabinet expansion process. While Vakiti Srihari’s name remains in contention, the names of Aadi Srinivas, Beerla Ailayya, and Vijayashanthi have now surfaced, with speculation that one among them may be inducted. Party sources said Rahul advised Telangana Congress leaders to avoid hasty decisions and wait until the leadership finalised matters.
Although party circles had hinted at possible expansion on Ugadi or April 3, both dates have passed without any action. This delay is reportedly why Mahesh Kumar Goud appeared before the media in Delhi on Thursday, stating that some issues remain unresolved and that the leadership would take appropriate action once they are addressed.
Minority Representation a Must
Rahul Gandhi has reportedly insisted that the Muslim community must be given representation in the cabinet under the minority quota. When informed that there are no MLAs from the community and only one MLC – Siasat editor Amer Ali Khan – was recently nominated under Governor’s Quota, Rahul is said to have responded that he should be given the post.