Only Chandrababu can decide when to reshuffle his team

Is Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu strongly considering a Cabinet reshuffle? The Chief Minister is believed to have concluded that the image of his government is getting spoiled due to some unexpected developments. Chandrababu has plans to take his coalition government with the NDA forward in the spirit of all three constituents of the ruling front, but circumstances are forcing him to change his plans to continue the same combination even after the 2029 elections. Although it looks premature to take up the task of gaining full control over the administration as well as the political situation in the State, it’s natural on the part of a person who has vast experience of ruling the State for four terms to get an ‘extension’ for his rule by impressing the electorate with populist policies. The image of the BJP and that of Prime Minister Modi and Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan’s strong influence at the ground level made Chandrababu’s attempts to grab power easy. After the announcement of the decision to fight elections together against the then chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy by Pawan Kalyan outside the Rajahmundry Central Prison where Chandrababu was remanded in the case dealing with the alleged misappropriation of skill development programme funds, Chandrababu has been expecting the combination of TDP, JSP and BJP to succeed. As a token of gratitude towards Pawan Kalyan for his efforts to weld together the alliance through seat adjustments by giving up his party’s seats to his partners, Chandrababu offered him the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Pawan’s JSP contested only 21 seats as he had relinquished seats to protect the interests of his alliance partners. With his excellent teamwork, his JSP could win all the seats it contested and register a 100% strike rate in the elections. Coming back to the issue of Chandrababu’s idea of a Cabinet reshuffle, the fact is that it is not getting a final shape. For that, Chandrababu needs experienced hands in the Cabinet. But that is not the case now. This is making the CM uncomfortable as warnings issued to Cabinet colleagues about their performance are not having effect. Key portfolios are not getting the required attention probably due to the absence of experienced hands. What exactly can an experienced hand in the Cabinet do? Will it improve the administration or will it lead to corruption? These are the questions that are being debated by the public. Nobody believes that persons in power would complete their stints without corruption. Can such people engage in corruption? If they do such things then they can be punished by the people. This fear may make them change their ways. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu wants the same thing in his Cabinet colleagues. As he has given a free hand to ministers their functioning is not properly monitored. This is causing discomfort to the CM and has made him think that there is an urgent need to reshuffle the Cabinet. Some incidents have spoiled the government’s image and have also hurt TDP cadres. The Home portfolio has been given to Dalit legislator V Anitha. But her PA spoiled the image of not only the Home Minister but that of the government too. The Minister had to remove her PA after his corruption damaged the government’s image. Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy started this convention in United AP by picking P Sabita Reddy for the Home Minister post. Jagan followed his father’s policy by appointing Dalit M Sucharita as the Home Minister. Chandrababu didn’t follow YSR’s convention during his first stint in residual AP, but he did it now by appointing V Anitha as the Home Minister. Home should have gone to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan due to its importance. He didn’t opt for it but he expressed displeasure over the poor performance of the Home department. It will not be surprising if Pawan becomes the Home Minister in the next Cabinet reshuffle. Another Minister K Pardha Saradhi got into a controversy over a political function. He shared the dais with former minister Jogi Ramesh while unveiling the statue of BC leader Sardar Gouthu Lachanna in Srikakulam district. Jogi Ramesh is considered hostile due to his criticism of Chandrababu during YSRCP rule. Sharing the dais with a person like Jogi Ramesh by Pardha Saradhi made both Chandrababu and Lokesh furious and he earned the wrath of the TDP brass despite apologising. Another Minister, K Sreenivas of Vizianagaram, showed due respect towards senior YSRCP leader Botsa Satyanarayana whom he considers as his political guru. This incident embarrassed the TDP leadership as Botsa has been a strong critic of Chandrababu from the days of YSR. Chandrababu may take quick steps to reshuffle the Cabinet. As the performance of his Cabinet is already facing public scrutiny, Chandrababu may not wait for a reshuffle. Otherwise, his government will lose its image.