Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao appears to be in no hurry to expand his Cabinet. Sources close to KCR say that he will take his own sweet time, perhaps till the end of December. Also, he may only induct six to eight ministers, leaving room for further expansion after the Lok Sabha polls next year.
It is learnt that around 12 other party MLAs have reportedly sent feelers to KCR, expressing their willingness to defect to TRS. KCR will consider these developments before he expands his Cabinet. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao, sources say, is of the view that all those elected as Members of the Legislative Assembly could be considered MLAs as soon as the election result is published in the Gazette.
He believes that the idea they are not MLAs until they take oath is wrong, sources say. It may be recalled that even in 2014, there was no hurry to get the MLA-elects to administer their oaths. While the election results were declared on May 16, 2014, they took their oaths 23 days after the results on June 9.
However, if the Assembly session is convened before the end of the year, all MLAs will take oaths and the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be held subsequently. KCR’s immediate engagement is to welcome and see off the President, who is coming to Hyderabad for his southern sojourn.
Also, it is a formality for a Chief Minister to meet the Prime Minister after taking charge. He might be going to Delhi soon. He would summon the Assembly after these formalities, sources said.