Three ministers, a cabinet minister and two ministers of state, who were inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet from Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, were allocated key portfolios. The youngest minister in Modi’s cabinet Kinjarapu Ramamohan Naidu (36) was given key Civil Aviation ministry, normally allots to senior leaders.
In 2014, Prime Minister Modi allocated this key ministry to senior politician Ashok Gajapathi Raju. Till recently, this was held by Jyotiraditya Scindia, who had also held the same ministry during UPA regime. But, for the first time joining the cabinet, Naidu was given this crucial ministry. It is said to be due to TDP’s crucial support needed for Prime Minister Modi, for the survival of his government.
Moreover, two other first time MPs from the state- Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar of TDP and Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Verma, who are ministers of state, were also given important portfolios. While, Dr Chandrasekhar was given Rural Development and Communication, Verma was given Heavy Industries and Steel.
These three ministers are incidentally related to infrastructure development and have scope to contribute for the development of Andhra Pradesh. Moreover, two other ministers from Telangana- G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar of BJP were also allotted significant portfolios.
Kishan Reddy, who has earlier dealt with Tourism, Culture and North East Development, is now assigned Coal and Mines. During the UPA-1 regime, these two ministries were dealt by T Subbarami Reddy and Dasari Narayana Rao, but as Ministers of State.
However, the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was angry with them due to severe corrupt charges and himself removed them from the cabinet. During his 10 years tenure as Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh said to remove ministers from his cabinet on his own initiative was only these two ministers.
Bandi Sanjay was given Home, which was earlier held by Ch Vidyasagar Rao in Vajapayee cabinet and also Kishan Reddy. This ministry helped both of them for good elevation later.