Buoyed by its recent victory in Bihar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now focusing on strengthening ties within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by offering more cabinet berths to its allies. As part of this exercise, sources in New Delhi indicate that the BJP is seriously considering allotting an additional Union cabinet berth to Andhra Pradesh, sparking intense speculation over who might be chosen.

The BJP has begun informal consultations with its key Andhra Pradesh partners — the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP). At present, the BJP has one Union Minister from the state, while the TDP has two representatives at the Centre (one Cabinet rank and one MoS). Jana Sena had earlier been offered a cabinet berth, but its chief Pawan Kalyan declined the opportunity at that time.

With assembly elections approaching in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the BJP is expected to accommodate leaders from those states as well. Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai is reportedly in line for a cabinet berth.

Despite this broader national balancing act, Andhra Pradesh is still likely to receive one more ministerial position. Internal discussions are said to be influenced by both regional representation and social equations. In this context, a proposal to pick a candidate from Rayalaseema — potentially Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy — is under consideration.

Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan is reportedly reconsidering his earlier decision and may be open to accepting a Union cabinet post this time. Jana Sena’s senior MP from Machilipatnam, Balashouri, is also being viewed as a strong contender, depending on Pawan’s preference.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have briefly discussed the matter with Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan during his visit to Puttaparthi on Wednesday. A final decision is expected once he returns to New Delhi.