Anantapur: A peculiar situation was witnessed in Anantapur district during the recent berth allocations in Y.S.Jagan’s Cabinet as the Chief Minister picked only one MLA Mr M. Shankar Narayana from Penukonda Assembly segment. Though 12 MLAs of YSRC were elected of the total 14 Assembly segments along with 2 MP seats from Anantapur, known as a TD stronghold, the party high command had only one ministerial post for the district.
Mr. Shankarnarayana got the chance as BC Welfare Minister under the BC category. He was representing YSRC from Penukonda of Hindupur Lok Sabha segment.
Several senior leaders who were in the race for a ministerial berth, made serious efforts to get a berth in the the new CM's cabinet, but they were denied in the first list.
However, Rayadurgam MLA Mr Kapu Ramachandra Reddy was offered the post of a Whip at the last minute. Also, Mr Ananta Venkatrami Reddy was nominated as the chairman of the Rayalaseema Regional Development Board on Thursday.
Senior leaders Mr Ananta Venkatrami Reddy of Anantapur Urban segment, Topudurthi Prakash Reddy of Rapthadu, Jonnalagadda Padma-vathi of Singanamala and Madakasira MLA M. Thippeswamy were in the race for a ministerial berth.
With the allocation of nominated posts for Chittoor district MLAs, Roja and C. Bhaskar Reddy, hope rekindled amongst leaders hoping for nominated posts.
Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had already announced a MLC seat for Md. Iqbal, former Inspector General of Police, who was defeated by film star and sitting MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna from Hindupur Assembly segment. Reportedly, the YSRC high command plans to strengthen the party in Hindupur that was a stronghold of TD for three decades.
In addition to senior MLAs T. Prakash Reddy and Thippeswamy, many leaders who were denied tickets in the recent polls were also in the race and were lobbying.
Mr. Topudurthi Prakash Reddy won against Mr Partiala Sriram from Rapthadu segment. Anantapur Assembly segment leader Mahalakshmi Srinivas, Hindupur Lok Sabha in-charge Naveen Nischal, Uravakonda leader Mr Y. Visweswar Reddy and several others are in the race hoping for nominated posts.
