Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy plunged into a day of back-to-back meetings in Delhi on Tuesday, as the Congress leadership began shaping plans for a cabinet reshuffle and other crucial organisational matters.
The day began with a meeting between Revanth Reddy and AICC organisational general secretary K. C. Venugopal, setting the tone for discussions that would stretch into the afternoon. Later, the Chief Minister huddled with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for nearly two hours, with sources revealing a detailed exchange on the allocation of portfolios to the three newly inducted ministers in the Telangana cabinet.
According to party insiders, Revanth Reddy laid out his proposals on the distribution of key departments, noting that he currently holds the municipal administration, home, education, and minority welfare portfolios, among others. He suggested that some of these could be reassigned to the new ministers, given that existing cabinet members already manage two or three portfolios each.
The talks also delved into broader organisational issues, including finalising the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) executive, distributing posts in corporations, and tackling sensitive matters such as the categorisation of Scheduled Castes and the outcome of the caste-based census.
Revanth Reddy praised the recently announced PCC committee, describing it as inclusive and representative of all communities, especially backward classes and minorities. He expressed his gratitude to both Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for ensuring a fair balance.
He also sought approval for the distribution of corporation posts and highlighted the Congress government’s decision to provide 42% reservations for backward classes in the wake of the caste census – a move he said had set a national precedent.
Urging the party leadership to attend upcoming public meetings, Revanth Reddy suggested holding a massive rally in Medak to celebrate the SC categorisation and another gathering in Suryapet to focus on BC reservations. He extended invitations to both Kharge and Gandhi to attend these events, seeing them as a message to other states about Telangana’s progress.
Revanth Reddy also discussed the appointment of four PCC working presidents and strategies for the upcoming local body elections.
Meanwhile, the Congress high command summoned senior Telangana minister Uttam Kumar Reddy to Delhi. Sources hinted that the leadership wanted his input on distributing portfolios among new ministers and possible reshuffles of existing ones.
Revanth Reddy, who has been in Delhi for the past two days, has been asked to extend his stay to continue discussions, while Uttam Kumar Reddy has been directed to join him in the capital for the crucial talks.