KCR sizes it up well

• He and 14 others to take oath
• The number (15) adds up to six (1+5=6)
• It is the lucky number of TRS chief

Five-time MLA Koppula Eashwar and MLC Mahamood Ali emerge as front-runners for Deputy CM posts. MIM too eyes Dy CM post but may be offered two Cabinet berths

Hyderabad: The Telangana CM designate K Chandrasekhar Rao is understood to have prepared a provincial list of 14 ministers who would take oath along with him most likely on June 2. Even though he is entitled to induct 18 ministers, which is 15 per cent of the size of the State assembly that has 119 members, KCR is keeping a few slots open for political maneuvering and expansion to be taken up later.

KCR who believes in numerology and astrology wants that the cabinet size should be 14+1 including him on the day of oath as it totals to 6 which happens to be his lucky number.

He is likely to appoint two deputy chief ministers, one from Dalit and the other from Muslim communities. Since Rao had gone back on his earlier promise of making Dalit as the first CM of Telangana, he is contemplating to give Deputy CM post to SCs to appease them. Five-time MLA Koppula Eashwar and MLC Mahamood Ali are being considered as front-runners. In addition, Mahmood Ali’s name is in being considered for the crucial home port-folio.

With MIM too dropping a hat in the ring for the coveted deputy CM post, according to highly placed sources, it remains to be seen how Rao would go about on this issue.TRS is understood to have offered two cabinet berths to MIM when key leaders met at Akabaruddin Owaisi’s residence two days ago. However, it is learnt, MIM insisted on the number-2 position in the cabinet. Asaduddin is expected to meet Rao shortly, after which clarity can be expected on Deputy CM’s issue.

If other portfolios are considered, Rao’s nephew T Harish is likely to be given the key irrigation and power portfolios. On the other hand, senior leader Etela Rajender might be given finance ministry.

MLC Swamy Goud is expected to find a place in Rao’s cabinet and he might be given employees affairs ministry. Rao had already let known his intentions to keep welfare ministry with him to ensure justice to deprived sections.

Rao is striking a balance between caste and region (district) factors in finalization of cabinet. He had made up his mind to give priority to seniors and to leave out first time MLAs, Nalgonda being an exception since all winners from this district are newcomers.

Names that are in consideration, district-wise: Jogu Ramanna (from Adilabad), Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Nizamabad), Babu Mohan, Padma Devender Reddy (Medak), Chandu Lal, Madhusudhana Chary, Konda Surekha ( Warangal), Jupally Krishna Rao, C Laxma Reddy (Mahabubnagar), P Mahender Reddy (Ranga Reddy), T Padma Rao (Mahabubnagar), G Jagadeeshwar Reddy and Gongidi Sunitha (Nalgonda) and Jalagam Venkat Rao (Khammam district).

Names of S Ramalinga Reddy and Padma Devender Reddy are being considered for whip posts. It is not clear whether Rao will induct his son and hat trick winner from Sircilla, K Tarakarama Rao into his Cabinet.