Missing Komatireddy and Vivek families in PAC sparks buzz in Cong over cabinet berths
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Hyderabad: Two missing names – Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and G Vivek Venkatswamy – in the all-important political affairs committee (PAC) of the state Congress announced on Thursday has created a buzz in party circles about the high command's plans for the two politically important families.
The talk in party is that the Komatireddy and Vivek's families may get representation in either the cabinet expansion or the working presidents' posts. That's something other aspirants are keen on stopping.
These competing aspirants have sent letters to the leadership in Delhi, stating that Venkat Reddy is already a minister and another cabinet berth for his younger brother Rajgopal should not be allowed. They also pointed out that three tickets were given to Vivek's family, including two MLA and one MP ticket – all three were won by them.
But both Rajgopal and Vivek have maintained that without them the Congress would not have managed the slender margin with 64 seats in the assembly. The two were also reportedly promised cabinet berths on their return to the Congress before assembly polls.
On Friday, the meeting of TPCC top guns with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge was cancelled. TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud said that another date would be fixed and maintained that they were expecting the cabinet expansion soon.
"We followed social justice by giving representation to all castes and communities in the five committees announced on Thursday. District representation was also taken into consideration. It was ensured that veterans and young blood were given opportunities. The composition of the new TPCC team comprising working presidents, vice-presidents and general secretaries will see maximum representation from SCs, STs, and BCs.
I have personally urged the party high command to give more berths in the cabinet to BCs," Mahesh Goud said.
In response to media queries over the missing names in the five committees, Mahesh Goud said that all the ministers are special invitees to the PAC meeting.
"We could not have named all the ministers in the PAC, but they can attend the PAC meeting as special invitees," he said.
A senior AICC leader said the party high command is likely to announce four working presidents and several vice presidents without any more consultation with the TPCC as all the details have already been submitted by the state leadership. However, there is no clarity on the cabinet expansion date.
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