After more than 60 days of taking charge as Telangana Chief Minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has finally decided to expand his cabinet on February 19. For the last two months, the state only had one Minister, Mahmood Ali, who was allotted the Home portfolio and was sworn in with KCR after the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) swept the Legislative Assembly polls which were held on December 11.
CM KCR called on Governor ESL Narasimhan, where he discussed the expansion of his cabinet and upcoming budget session in Assembly. A press release from Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said, "The Chief Minister after meeting the Governor ESL Narasimhan on Friday afternoon at Raj Bhavan conveyed his decision to expand the Cabinet February 19."
Known to be deeply superstitious, KCR has reportedly chosen an “auspicious day” with the swearing-in ceremony expected to take place at 11.30 am on February 19. By not expanding his cabinet, KCR has been attacked by the opposition, who have accused the CM of being superstitious. The Chief Minister has since instructed the concerned officials to prepare the necessary arrangements for swearing in ceremony. However it is unclear that how many Ministers will be part of his expanded cabinet.
His decision to expand the cabinet also comes a day it was announced that Telangana’s vote on budget would take place on February 22. There were questions raised as to who would announce the budget when the finance portfolio did not have a minister.
According to sources, the delay in forming the cabinet was because KCR for his second term wanted a reorganized government with more departments under each ministry, so that seven or eight key ministers can run the state machinery effectively.