The stage is set for the swearing in of members of the reorganised Cabinet by Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan at the Secretariat at 11.31 a.m. on April 11, even as the speculation on who the new Ministers will be and what are the political equations that went into the exercise continued till the eleventh hour.
The swearing-in function will be followed by a high-tea hosted by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at 1 p.m.
Coming to the composition of the Cabinet, Mr. Jagan had been holding prolonged discussions with the government adviser (public affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and some other close confidantes ever since 24 Ministers tendered their resignations on April 7 to facilitate the induction of new ones.
The Chief Minister went into a huddle with his trusted lieutenants on Saturday also to give finishing touches to the Cabinet rejig, by taking into account multiple factors which mainly include caste, and performance of the Ministers, about which the Chief Minister had dropped enough hints.
Above all, the Cabinet revamp and the party responsibilities proposed to be given to the incumbents are reportedly intended to steer the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) to power in the 2024 elections.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy said the Cabinet would be a blend of the old and new with due representation to the Backward Classes and women. Those being taken on board would be given information through phone by Sunday evening.
It may be recalled that Mr. Jagan made it clear to MLAs at the time of the formation of the government in May 2019 that there would be a major overhaul of the Cabinet after two and half years. It is aimed at giving some deserving MLAs exposure to the government’s functioning, while putting the onus of securing victory for YSRCP in the general elections on the outgoing Ministers.
