The latest controversy against AP Revenue Minister Anagani Sathya Prasad raising suspicions over his continuation in the cabinet or some TDP circles admits he is likely to be shifted from the coveted ministry. This has also indicated a possible reshuffle in the Andhra Pradesh cabinet.
As already Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced that Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan’s elder brother K Nagababu will be inducted into the cabinet, many in the TDP believing that this may lead to a minor reshuffle in the cabinet. At least two present ministers are likely to be targeted in this regard.
However, the cabinet reshuffle is likely to be delayed as the Legislative Council Chairman is delaying in accepting resignations of four MLCs. Unless their resignations are accepted, it will not be possible for Nagababu to be elected as an MLC, before joining the cabinet. As the Council Chairman is from YSRCP, he is said to be deliberately delaying the process.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting within TDP to elevate Minister Nara Lokesh as Deputy Chief Minister on the lines of Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin had elevated his son Udayanidhi as Deputy Chief Minister. Though presently Lokesh has emerged as the most powerful power center in the government, as Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is in the limelight.
As a result whenever cabinet reshuffle takes place, it is said that Lokesh will be elevated as Deputy Chief Minister and he is likely to be given Revenue Ministry so that to send clear political signals he will be getting ready to become Chief Minister of the state, after his father. With this background, the vicious campaign ignited within TDP circles against Revenue Minister Sathya Prasad gaining momentum.
Though he is second time MLA, he is known as a very calm going politician and hardly aspires for attention. Surprisingly, he was given key ministries like Revenue after getting placed in the cabinet for the first time. He is known as a `easy going’ politician, without imaginary ambitions.
Though most of the senior officials and key ministers are spending their week-end in Hyderabad city, now it has become a question: why is a pro-TDP media targeting him? There is suspicion that some people are choosing such soft targets, leaving behind the huge looting and settlements done by those in key positions.
