New political equations are emerging in Telangana. After conducting a caste census earlier this year, the Telangana government had promised 42 percent reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in education, employment, and local body elections. The government has already moved a bill to secure legal ratification for these reservations.
In the latest development, there is strong talk that the ruling Congress Party is planning to appoint another Deputy Chief Minister from the BC community to further consolidate their support base.
Currently, Bhatti Vikramarka serves as the Deputy CM representing the Scheduled Castes (SCs). Other prominent ministers in the Cabinet include Damodar Rajanarasimha, Adluri Laxman, and Vivek Venkataswamy. From the BC category, Ponnam Prabhakar, Vakati Srihari, and Konda Surekha are already serving as ministers.
According to party sources, the Congress High Command is seriously considering appointing TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud as the new Deputy Chief Minister to strengthen the BC and SC vote base ahead of the upcoming elections.
If Mahesh Kumar Goud is elevated to the Deputy CM post, it would require the appointment of a new Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president. Speculation is rife that Ponnam Prabhakar could be given the responsibility as the next TPCC chief.
Political observers believe this move is part of Congress’s broader strategy to balance caste representation in the Cabinet while ensuring that key communities remain loyal to the party in the upcoming local body and assembly elections.
