The induction of lone member from BJP Sathya Kumar in Andhra Pradesh raised uproar among BJP circles. Though he is not known of having a constituency of his own and has any influence among party cadres in the state, his proximity with union home minister Amit Shah is said to have helped him to get a cabinet berth.
It may be recalled that the only election rally Amit Shah attended in Andhra Pradesh was Dharmavaram, from where he contested. At the public meeting he openly said that Sathya Kumar was close to him and a vote to Sathya Kumar will be a vote to himself.
Originally, Sathya Kumar came into BJP circles as PA of former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. Due to his proximity with Naidu, he had gained good contacts in Delhi. After Venkaiah Naidu becoming Vice President, realising that there will not be political clout anymore with him, he slowly became close to Amit Shah.
With Amit Shah’s support he became BJP’s national secretary and since then has been attempting to gain some political clout in Andhra Pradesh. When the state BJP leaders like Somu Veerraju, PVN Madhav and GVL Narasimha Rao were identified as close to YS Jaganmohan Reddy and working against Chandrababu Naidu, Sathya Kumar became the voice of TDP within the BJP.
Though Chandrababu Naidu offered to give two berths in his cabinet to BJP, the BJP leadership said to be unable to select from eight of its MLAs. It was due to BJP’s delay in proposing its two members, submission of Cabinet list by Chandrababu Naidu was delayed.
As Amit Shah reached Chandrababu Naidu’s house on Tuesday night, he has reportedly first cleared Sathya Kumar name and pending other names. With the blessings of Amit Shah, Sathya Kumar is likely to get a key ministry.
Sathya Kumar’s cloud was revealed when Chandrababu Naidu spared the faction-ridden Dharmavaram seat from him, though he has no connection with Anantapur district. Though Chandrababu can have 25 members in his cabinet, he named only 24 members, keeping 1 vacancy for BJP, it is learnt.
