Will the team 2.0 of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s cabinet ready to accept the tide of 2024 is now a million dollar question. The confidence during the selections of new team shows the high level strategy to fight the political tsunami.
The much-awaited election-oriented recast team of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is in place now. Jagan apparently consulted only a few of his trusted aides and the government’s adviser in assembling his new team. Although the team reflects social engineering, an essential political mantra for triumph in elections, there were some aftershocks. Jagan managed to pacify those who could not find a place in the final list. Fortunately, no one has dared to air his or her view openly against the party leadership.
Dr.YS Rajasekhara Reddy, as the chief minister belonging to a national party, did not face resentment when he reshuffled his cabinet in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Although the leadership of any national party will normally have its say in deciding things like cabinet reshuffle in various states under its rule, YSR had full freedom in deciding things at the state level. He even turned down the proposals made by the party’s high command. However, Jagan had to face some resentment from some of his cabinet colleagues who had been dropped.
At least two of them expressed their readiness to quit MLA post. The moot question is: Will the new team take forward the aspirations of the leadership? Will social engineering influence future equations? Strictly speaking, if everything has gone fine, the ruling party should get more seats than the present tally of 151 out of 175 in the AP Legislative Assembly. Jagan will retain power even if he loses 63 seats (88 seats is the half way mark in APLA). It means that Jagan will again come to power in the 2024 elections, even if he loses one-third of the present tally.
The perceived increase in the quota for BCs and other down-trodden sections of society will come up for public scrutiny in the days to come. The Cabinet reshuffle may send unwanted signals to certain sections of society to move against the ruling party in future. Kamma, Brahmin, Vysya and Dalit Christians have been kept aside in thisexercise for cabinet expansion.
Since the days of Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, constant efforts have been made to bring about a split in the Kamma community in favour of the Congress. Why should we vote only for TDP? Why not for the Congress, as the latter has been giving priority to us? Kodali Venkateswara Rao (Nani) has been the face of Kammas in the cabinet hitherto.
The prominence being given to the community by Jagan has apparently caused dissatisfaction among other communities. How does this move of Jagan (dropping Nani) benefit Kamma would be interesting to watch.
For example, the Penamaluru Assembly seat in Krishna district is represented by K. Parthasarathi Yadav (YSRC) now. Despite serving as a minister in YSR’s cabinet, Parthasarathi could not make way into Jagan’s cabinet. In fact Pardhasaradhi was supposed to get a chance in first phase in 2019. But Nellore legislator Anilkumar Yadav influenced Jagan for a cabinet berth. Sarathi was kept aside. It has been a bitter experience for him after an agonizing wait for three years.
Sarathi may shift his loyalties to TDP. Ambati Rambabu and RK Roja deserve cabinet posts in view of their services. Rambabu had walked along with YSR in Padayatra in 2003. He is a senior candidate among all Kapu MLAs who had been elected from Repalle in 1989. Roja got fame of being firebrand in the ruling party.
Jogi Ramesh was also given chance for his ‘attack’ on the house of TDP president Chandrababu Naidu and for his outrageous remarks against MP K. Raghurama Krishnam Raju (YSRC) on the floor of Assembly. V. Rajani of Chilakaluripet got elected for the first time in 2019. But her political journey is more interesting with her shifting loyalties to another party. Marri Rajasakhar was MLA of Chilakaluripet during YSR’s time. Later, he joined YSRC and become president of party’s district unit.
But his fate was sealed with the entry of Rajani into the party. Unable to say no to Rajani, Jagan assured Rajasekhar that he would be made MLC and Minister later. Botsa Satyanarayana will have unique record of serving as a minister in the cabinets of father and son for full terms i. e 2004-09 and 2019-24.
Another example is that of Samineni Udayabhanu of Jaggayyapet of NTR district. Bhanu was first elected MLA in 1999 and he retained his seat in subsequent elections of 2004, when YSR stormed to power. After the local bodies’ polls held in 2006, YSR appointed a committee headed by former Union minister P. Upendra to recomend the names of MLAs who had worked hard for the party in the just-concluded LB polls. In that process, Upendra recommended the name of Udayabhanu for the cabinet post. But for various reasons, this Kapu MLA was kept aside by YSR then and by his son now.
It may be mentioned here that those who had made personal attacks and derogatory comments against Jaganmohan Reddy also got a chance to become members of his cabinet.
This cabinet may become inspirational one for future aspirants who have been praising the Chief Minister and describing him as God-like. Can this team implement the action plan for the electoral battle of 2024? How would it thwart the possible unity of all opposition parties and bring benefits to ruling party again? These are questions of vital
importance for the people of Andhra Pradesh! #KhabarLive #hydnews
