Revanth meets Rahul, Kharge in Delhi as AICC weighs portfolio reshuffle, cabinet strategy
Hyderabad: Chief minister A
Revanth Reddy
met with AICC president
Mallikarjun Kharge
and senior leader
Rahul Gandhi
to discuss the allocation of portfolios to the three newly-inducted ministers and the possibility of a wider cabinet reshuffle.
The Congress high command is said to have firmly advised Revanth to ensure social justice remains the guiding principle in the reallocation of portfolios—a directive with both symbolic and political resonance.
Significantly, soon after the meeting, the AICC summoned senior minister and party heavyweight N Uttam Kumar Reddy to the national capital, fuelling speculation about a deeper shake-up within the cabinet.
While there has been no official word on whether the leadership is contemplating dropping any ministers, the move has revived buzz in party circles about possible exits or marginalisation of underperforming incumbents.
Uttam was accompanied by his wife and Kodad MLA N Padmavathi Reddy, whose name is reportedly under consideration either for inclusion in a future cabinet expansion or as one of the four working presidents of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).
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This development is being seen as part of a larger balancing act within the party, aimed at accommodating key social and regional stakeholders ahead of local body elections.
Bhatti also set to be called
Though deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka was not present in Delhi, sources confirmed that a senior AICC leader held telephonic discussions with him following Revanth's meeting with the top leadership. There are strong indications that Bhatti too may be called to Delhi for further consultations, although his office did not confirm any such move as of late Tuesday night.
"The high command has wrapped up discussions with the Karnataka leadership, where a decision was taken to conduct another caste census. The focus now shifts to Telangana," a senior AICC functionary said. "The leadership is set to deliberate not only on the portfolios for the new ministers but also the political ramifications of a larger reshuffle. Consultations with Revanth, Uttam, and most likely Bhatti will continue into the night or take place on Wednesday.
The announcement of new portfolios is expected on Wednesday or Thursday," the source added.
4 working presidents
Revanth's meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Kharge lasted over two hours and went beyond cabinet matters. The discussion also covered the pending appointments of four TPCC working presidents, district and block-level Congress presidents, the campaign committee, and the AICC programme implementation committee chairperson.
The strategy for upcoming local body elections and plans to target the BJP-led Centre's '11 years of failure' were also prominently discussed.
Sources said that AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal had submitted a detailed chart of portfolios currently held by Revanth, Bhatti, Uttam, and other ministers to Rahul Gandhi and Kharge. Also tabled was a performance report prepared by AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, which included candid feedback from party MLAs and senior leaders—reportedly touching on both strengths and lapses in the current cabinet.
Revanth also extended formal invitations to Rahul Gandhi and Kharge to address public meetings in Telangana highlighting the successful completion of the state's caste survey, the passage of the 42% BC quota legislation, and the party's commitment to SC categorisation. Dates are being finalised in coordination with the central leadership, around which the TPCC will organise major rallies.
Vivek meets Kharge, CM
Meanwhile, newly-inducted minister G Vivek Venkatswamy also met Kharge on Monday and Revanth on Tuesday. While Vivek maintained publicly that he would work diligently with whichever portfolio he is given, sources indicate he is lobbying for the energy or education portfolio. He was reportedly advised by the leadership to concentrate on strengthening the party in the run-up to the local polls and to aggressively campaign against the BJP's record at the Centre.
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