Naidu scouts for T TDP leaders

Hyderabad: Following indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would soon expand his Cabinet, the alliance partner TDP has intensified its lobbying to get at least two berths this time under Telangana quota.

TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is now on a visit to New Delhi, is learnt to have discussed this with the Prime Minister and also BJP president Amit Shah. According to sources, Naidu is understood to have told both these leaders that the joint efforts made by the BJP and TDP in the MLC elections had paid good dividends and there was a need for both to grow together in Telangana.

BJP senior leader N Ramchander Rao won the MLC election from Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Mahbubnagar Graduates Constituency with a huge margin. Sources told The Hans India that Naidu wants the two Rajya Sabha MPs from Telangana Garikapati Mohan Rao and Gundu Sudharani be considered for berths in the Cabinet. As of now, Bandaru Dattatreya is the only representative from Telangana in the Union Cabinet and he happens to be a senior BJP leader.

Naidu also wants the Prime Minister to consider the name of Mothkupalli Narsimhulu, a senior leader from the SC community, for the post of Governor. Though Naidu had promised Rajya Sabha seat to him in the past before the bifurcation, it did not materialise due to various political developments.

Irani on her way out?

New Delhi: Is Smriti Irani on her way out of the Union Cabinet? If the buzz in the corridors of Shastri Bhawan, from where the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry operates, is to be believed, then the cabinet reshuffle due later this week will see a new person at the helm of the crucial portfolio.