News: AP likely to get 5 berths in Union Cabinet

NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: Even as an air of expectation hangs in the air in the state as to how many Union cabinet berths will be given to Andhra Pradesh in view of the fact that it sent the largest number of MPs for the ruling party from any state, chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, in a rare display of assertion, said AP deserved a good representation at the Centre. The chief minister met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and discussed the formation of the state cabinet as well as the number of berths for the AP MPs in the Union cabinet. According to sources, the party high command gave him an assurance it would take proper care of the state for its tremendous performance in the Lok Sabha elections despite various pressures from the allies. At least five MPs are likely to get a berth in the Union cabinet, they said. They include all the four ministers who got re-elected, S Jaipal Reddy, D Purandeswari, Panabaka Lakshmi and Pallam Raju. Among the new faces, sources say Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal who is considered to be a close associate of the chief minister is in the race.  Rajagopal in fact made his intention clear when he said that he would not mind even if he does not get a berth in the Union cabinet provided Pranahita-Chevella and Polavaram projects were taken up as national projects. Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, who got elected from Eluru, is also a front runner as is Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, the strongman from Guntur. Madhu Yaski Goud, who claims to be close to AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, is another front runner, though it is not clear whether YSR will push his case given the animosity between the two. Killi Kruparani from Srikakulam, who proved to be a giant killer by defeating four-time MP and TDP Parliamentary Party leader K Yerrannaidu, is another aspirant. According to the sources, irrigation, agriculture, water resources, mines and power are some of the key central ministries that YSR would seek keeping in mind the major projects in the state which require central approval and funding. For his council of ministers in the state, the CM is learnt to have indicated that he would retain some of the present team and also infuse some fresh blood into the team. Sources point out that the CM may retain finance minister K Rosaiah, home minister K Jana Reddy, mines and geology minister Sabitha Indra Reddy, major industries minister J Geetha Reddy, information minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, revenue minister D Prasada Rao, health education minister Galla Aruna Kumari, Pilli Subash Chandra Bose and transport minister Kanna Lakshminarayana.