Politics News: Lagadapati may miss the cabinet bus

HYDERABAD/Vijayawada: In spite of declaring his loyalty to the state Congress satraps headed by Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Vijayawada MP-elect Lagadapati Rajagopal’s candidature for a berth in the Union cabinet is not a certainty. Though technically YS Rajasekhara Reddy has nothing to do with cabinet formation at the Centre, it is believed that he would prefer Guntur MP-elect Rayapati Sambasiva Rao ahead of Rajagopal and Eluru MP-elect Kavuri Sambasiva Rao. The CM’s camp reportedly views the networking capabilities and wealth of Rajagopal and Kavuri as serious threats to the interests of YSR, sources suggested. Sources said though it’s prime minister Manmohan Singh’s prerogative to choose his council of ministers, YSR could recommend some names from AP for the ministerial posts. "It’s in this scheme of things that YSR could press more strongly the names of others for Union ministerships," a source said. Though he began his journey as a strong supporter of YSR, Rajagopal started working independently. "One cannot stop Rajagopal from steamrolling others if he becomes a Union minister," a senior Krishna district Congress leader said. Training guns on the MP-elect’s ambitions, a party MLA said Rajagopal started tom-toming YSR as a real political hero only after he realised the futility of rubbing YSR on the wrong side. But YSR is not the one who would forget and forgive his detractors easily. Sources said he was particularly upset at the way Rajagopal twisted the arms of his staunch followers in Krishna district in the last five years. "Rajagopal has always been a matter of concern for the CM as the former steals the thunder. This has not gone down well with the CM," claimed another Congress legislator. On the other hand, Rayapati, who too had a strained relationship with the CM in the past, mended fences with YSR. "Hence, he is ahead of others in the race," said a Guntur district Congress leader. Insofar as Kavuri is concerned, Rajasekhara Reddy wouldn’t like to see another wealthy leader trying to dictate terms in state politics, a source added.