The unusual delay in inducting Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader and newly-elected MLC Konidela Nagababu into the Andhra Pradesh cabinet has sparked widespread speculation in political circles.
Although Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had earlier announced that Nagababu would be given a ministerial post and facilitated his nomination to the Legislative Council, his cabinet induction has been kept on hold for several months. Initially, JSP chief Pawan Kalyan was firmly in support of his brother’s inclusion. However, the dynamics within the ruling coalition appear to have shifted.
According to sources, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reportedly objecting to Nagababu’s entry, as it is pushing for an additional cabinet berth for one of its MLAs. This has created a dilemma within the coalition since only one vacancy remains in the state cabinet.
To accommodate another BJP minister, Naidu would have to drop one of his own TDP ministers, a move he is currently unwilling to make, fearing internal unrest within his party. As a result, Nagababu’s induction seems to be the casualty of coalition compromises.
Amid this impasse, political chatter suggests that the Jana Sena may be compensated with a berth in the upcoming Union Cabinet expansion. This potential development could serve to offset the denial of a state cabinet position for Nagababu.
Currently, Jana Sena has two Lok Sabha MPs — Vallabhaneni Balashowry from Machilipatnam and Tangella Udaya Srinivas from Kakinada. Among them, Balashowry is reportedly the frontrunner for the Union berth, given his seniority and parliamentary experience.
However, there is also speculation that Pawan Kalyan might propose Nagababu’s name for the Central Cabinet, possibly followed by a Rajya Sabha nomination next year, securing him a national political role instead.
Sources close to the developments indicate that Pawan Kalyan is inclined to leave the final decision to Chandrababu Naidu, choosing not to exert pressure on the coalition over his brother’s appointment.
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