TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu is likely to take oath as Chief Minister on 12th of this month. Though earlier it was speculated that he will take oath on 9th, it is now decided only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, which is likely to be on 8th or 9th, he will take oath.
As PM Modi is likely to attend his swearing-in ceremony, Naidu intends to have his oath taken according to Modi’s schedule. After the BJP parliamentary meeting, it was decided to hold a meeting of NDA leaders once again, with all elected MPs.
Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu is focusing on the formation of his cabinet. On the lines of candidates selections were made, it is likely young, women and weaker sections to be given prominence in the cabinet. Few seniors also may be accommodated.
The major issue of inducting Nara Lokesh and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan is yet to be decided. According to TDP sources, discussions are going on towards the proposal that Lokesh may be given party responsibility making him as TDP state president. Already few leaders indicated such a move before counting of votes.
Pawan Kalyan also said to be not decided on joining in the cabinet. He is also said to be thinking of inducting BC, SC and women from his party into the cabinet, focusing himself on political issues. If Pawan Kalyan decides to be in the cabinet, he is likely to be made Deputy Chief Minister. He will also be assigned a key portfolio like Home or Revenue.
Chandrababu is likely to give preference to leaders with clean image and also those who were harassed during YS Jaganmohan Reddy regime by sending them to jails. More than half of the newly elected MLAs are first time contested in the polls. So both experience and new faces need to be balanced in the formation of the cabinet.
According to sources Jana Sena may be given 4 cabinet berths, followed by 2 for BJP. Then Chandrababu may not take more than 20 MLAs from TDP into the cabinet. That makes one from every 15 MLAs likely to get a cabinet berth. This will narrow the scope of accommodating many aspirants.