Chiru tipped for Cabinet
Telugu superstar K. Chiranjeevi, who recently merged his Praja Rajyam Party with the Congress, could soon be offered a berth in the Union Cabinet, top political sources have told this newspaper.
The filmstar, who belongs to the powerful Kapu community in Andhra Pradesh, could be made a Rajya Sabha member in place of senior Congress leader K. Janardhan Reddy. Mr Reddy is expected to be made a governor sometime soon. A formal merger of the Praja Rajyam with the Congress is expected next month in the presence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Andhra Pradesh.
The Congress, which has been in considerable trouble in the state due to the mess over Telangana as well as the political onslaught from Jaganmohan Reddy, son of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, and been seeking a way to regain its grip. Some Congress spin doctors believe that Chiranjeevi’s induction into the Union Cabinet “will send out a strong signal to the Kapu community, concentrated in the coastal districts, north Telangana and Rayalseema regions of Andhra Pradesh.” The Congress has been involved in a damage control exercise following the rebellion by Jaganmohan Reddy shortly after his father’s death.
It might be recalled that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already indicated he would go in for a further Cabinet reshuffle after the Budget Session of Parliament ends. The Congress high command is also considering whether to go in for the reshuffle immediately after the session or after the Assembly elections in five states, including Tamil Nadu. Chirajneevi is expected to campaign for the Congress in Telugu-dominated areas of Tamil Nadu.
The Congress also plans to deploy Chiranjeevi against Jaganmohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh. There are reports that two of Chiranjeevi’s loyalists could be accommodated in the Kiran Kumar Reddy ministry in the state. The actor-politician has gone on record saying he would “strive to strengthen the national party and the leadership of Sonia Gandhi.”
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