Cabinet Expansion in AP? Babu Heads to Delhi!

CM Chandrababu Naidu is set to visit Delhi on July 14. His visit is expected to focus on two major things: the expansion of the state cabinet and getting approvals and funds from the central government for various state projects.

There has been ongoing speculation about a possible cabinet reshuffle or expansion, but no clear update has come out so far. Recently, there was buzz that Janasena MLC Nagababu might be inducted as a minister. This gained momentum after Chandrababu himself publicly said that Nagababu would be given a cabinet post.

At that time, Nagababu hadn’t officially become an MLC, so everyone assumed the announcement would take effect once he took office. It’s been three months since he became an MLC, but he’s still not part of the cabinet.

As per the current situation, there is room for up to two more ministers in the cabinet. Chandrababu is now reportedly considering either expanding the cabinet or making a reshuffle.

Sources say that during his Delhi visit, Chandrababu plans to discuss this matter with senior BJP leaders and members of the central government.

Within BJP, there’s growing dissatisfaction. Although the party has extended strong support to the TDP-led coalition, BJP leaders feel they’ve been sidelined. Many point out that in the previous 2014–2019 TDP-BJP government, BJP had two minister posts, while now they have only one, mainly because Janasena has also joined the alliance this time.

Some senior BJP leaders, like Vishnukumar Raju and Adinarayana Reddy, have openly demanded more representation in the cabinet. They argue that BJP deserves at least a 20% share, not just 5%. Because of this, there’s growing talk in political circles that BJP might be given one more ministerial post.

At the same time, Janasena’s Nagababu and BJP’s Kamineni Srinivas Rao are being considered for cabinet positions. There are even rumors that a current controversial TDP minister might be removed to make room for Kamineni.

Alongside the cabinet issue, Chandrababu is also expected to push for central approvals for the Banakacharla project, which has become a point of contention between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He is also expected to request funding from the central government for several ongoing infrastructure and development projects in the state.