KCR won a massive mandate but 47 days on, Telangana is being run by 2 ministers

File image of K. Chandrashekar Rao | KCR/ Facebook

The delay has led to much speculation, from belief that KCR is setting the ground for his son to take over to claims that he is waiting for ‘auspicious date’.

Bengaluru: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly known as KCR, was in a tearing hurry to head to elections, dissolving the state assembly in September 2018, months before its tenure was to end. But the chief minister appears to be in no hurry to form a cabinet.

In the 47 days since KCR took oath on 13 December 2018, the Telangana government has been run by a two-member cabinet of the chief minister and Home Minister Mahmood Ali. KCR will have to appoint 16 more ministers to complete his cabinet.

The delay has led to much speculation, from the belief that KCR may be setting the ground for his son K.T. Rama Rao — the working president of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) — to take over as chief minister to charges that the ‘extremely superstitious’ chief minister may be waiting for an ‘auspicious date’.

The absence of ministers was conspicuous even to the world as at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Telangana kiosk had absolutely no political representation.

So what has been causing the delay? Three theories are doing the rounds in the state.

May elevate son

Much of the speculation is that KCR will elevate his son K.T. Rama Rao as the chief minister.

Sources in the TRS said that before relinquishing his post, KCR wants to appoint loyal lieutenants who will support his son and continue governance without toppling the government.

KCR is putting his house in order before making that major announcement, said a TRS leader under the condition of anonymity.

The superstitious CM

There is also the belief that KCR, known to be an extremely religious and superstitious man, is looking for the right muhurat (timing) to expand his cabinet. KCR has been conducting a series of pujas and held a major yajna, called the Sahasra Chandi Yaaga, which was held between 21 January and 25 January.

“These pujas are for the welfare of the people of Telangana and ensure that the state prospers,” a TRS leader told ThePrint.

The leader also pointed out that the two phases of the panchayat elections were held on 21 and 25 January, with the third phase to be held on 29 January, and the CM has been busy with them, further delaying the cabinet expansion process.

Sources in the TRS say that 30 January and 6 February are the probable dates for the expansion. It is believed that KCR wants to have a cabinet in place before the Telangana budget session, which is likely to be held in February.

While KCR has defended his beliefs saying it does not come in the way of governance, this time the delay may not stand the test of this argument. Earlier too there have been allegations that KCR did not function from the state secretariat due to his superstitions.

Another possible reason for the delay is the work that is being done to consolidate certain departments under one umbrella. For example, as KCR explained in one of his media briefings, that the departments of agriculture, agricultural marketing and agricultural cooperation, which work for the welfare of farmers, operate separately and should be brought under one roof.

The chief minister has also asked the state bureaucracy to help in the consolidation and work out the modalities as part of governance reforms.

KCR expecting a coup, says opposition

The delay has given the opposition new ammunition to target the KCR government. Telangana Congress spokesperson M. Krishank told ThePrint that many suspect that there is a feud within the family for ministerial berths.

“There is news that within KCR’s family there is a lot of misunderstanding and KCR may be expecting a coup as TRS MLA Harish Rao’s (who is also the nephew of KCR) position may be in big question,” Krishank said.

“It may also be that KCR is unable to finalise names of his ministers as many legislators who have won numerous times are hoping to get berths as are those who switched over to the TRS before the elections.”

Hyderabad-based political analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy feels that the new cabinet in Telangana will have KTR at the helm. KCR is likely to build a young cabinet that KTR would be comfortable working with, Reddy said.

“The delay in cabinet formation is because KCR sees the recent electoral victory as a mandate in favour of his style of administration and so he will take decisions according to his comfort,” said Reddy.

“The Indian Constitution does not mandate a chief minister to form his/her cabinet within a stipulated time. While the Governor appoints the chief minister, it is the latter’s discretion to take further necessary steps on Cabinet and this aspect gives the necessary comfort to KCR to move according to wish.”