The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR may go slow on Cabinet formation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 14, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR may go slow on Cabinet formation

By W.Chandrakanth

HYDERABAD, MAY 13. The Chief Minister designate, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, whose swearing-in ceremony is slated for Friday, may not prefer to constitute his Cabinet at this juncture.

Dr. Reddy, who returned here from New Delhi after meeting the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, seems to be in no position to hazard constitution of the Cabinet, however small it may be.

Several reasons are being given out for this. Foremost among them being the tightrope walk needed in taking up the elaborate exercise in view of the groups. The party's good show in both the Assembly and the Lok Sabha elections throws up a political challenge too for Dr. Reddy within the party.

With a few of the newly elected MPs not so favourably disposed towards him, he might have to give a careful thought to it. Without having a discussion on the matter with the AICC chief, Dr. Reddy cannot risk formation of the Cabinet. Another reason for his disinclination to form the Cabinet now is that he cannot rush into it without proper consultations with local and national Congress leaders. Moreover, the AICC has invited the TRS to join the Cabinet.

The task ahead of Dr. Reddy is not going to be easy, as he needs reliable persons to hold portfolios like Agriculture, Irrigation, Power, Medicare and Industries. He also needs the cooperation of the Speaker in conducting the business smoothly.

The other priorities once these political matters are sorted out would be formation of his core team of officials including the Secretary, Political, and his other peshi officers. Yet another priority is the appointment of the CPRO who virtually becomes the face of the CMO.

Appointments to top positions like the DGP, Chief Secretary and heads of various departments could be attended to a bit later. Dr. Reddy might find it difficult to immediately replace some of these top officers even if he feels to do so as he is more bothered about the credibility of the officials. He is afraid that the nine-year long rule of the TDP might have led to some of the administrators becoming the alter egos of N. Chandrababu Naidu. In short, he needs his own team that would dedicate itself to the plans and programmes of the new Government. Dr. Reddy is also not in a hurry to change the existing policies and programmes hurriedly without having a careful look at their utility. Free power is, of course, a subject dear to his heart. But, his plan for giving a boost to the agriculture and irrigation sector within six months, might see him constitute a special cell with officials and experts. "I am on the look out for men of integrity, commitment and dedication. They need not succumb to any pressures from any quarter. The end product of their work must benefit the common man," Dr. Reddy told The Hindu.

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