Hyderabad: The much-anticipated cabinet expansion in Telangana has left several Congress MLAs disillusioned, highlighting the party’s challenge in balancing expectations with limited opportunities. While the day saw three new faces taking oath as ministers at Raj Bhavan, many other hopefuls found themselves sidelined, leading to widespread disappointment within party ranks.
Among those who had confidently expected a cabinet berth were Sudarshan Reddy from Nizamabad, Rajagopal Reddy from Munugode, and Prem Sagar Rao from Mancherial. Their optimism had been bolstered by conversations with supporters and repeated hints of inclusion, but the final list left them empty-handed.
Sources said some of these disappointed aspirants even switched off their phones, a gesture that underscored the frustration simmering among party loyalists who had been eagerly awaiting ministerial positions.
Sensing the brewing discontent, AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan stepped in, determined to calm the nerves of those who felt overlooked. Alongside TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Chief Minister’s advisor Vem Narender Reddy, and MP Anil Yadav, she visited Sudarshan Reddy’s residence in Hyderabad. The team reportedly discussed the situation at length, with Natarajan reassuring Reddy and explaining the party’s selection process.
Sudarshan Reddy, who had been widely seen as a frontrunner for a cabinet slot, voiced his disappointment over the exclusion. Natarajan is said to have assured him that efforts would continue to ensure deserving leaders are recognised in future rounds.
Of the 17 available cabinet positions, 14 have now been filled, leaving just three seats vacant. Party insiders say discussions are ongoing to find a suitable way to accommodate the remaining hopefuls, though there is still no clear indication of when or how that might happen.
Besides Sudarshan Reddy, Natarajan is also believed to have reached out to other prominent contenders, including Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, Mancherial MLA Prem Sagar Rao, and Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy, all of whom had expected to be inducted into the cabinet.
What promises, if any, were given to these leaders remains unclear, as does the path forward for those who feel left behind. For now, the party faces the delicate task of managing ambitions while maintaining unity—a challenge that may continue to shape Telangana’s political landscape in the weeks to come.