TRS members join Andhra Pradesh cabinet

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi formally became a part of the Andhra Pradesh government when six of its members joined the Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy ministry on Wednesday.

The new ministers are:
Dr A Chandrasekhar
S Santosh Reddy
Nayani Narasimha Reddy
Dr G Vijayarama Rao
Captain K Lakshmikantha Rao
T Harish Rao

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala administered the oath of office and secrecy to the TRS members at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in the evening. With this, the strength of the ministry has gone up to 31, including the chief minister. Except Chandrasekhar and Santosh Reddy, the others have become ministers for the first time.

Chandrasekhar has been elected from Vikarabad constituency in Ranga Reddy district five times. He defected from the TDP and contested the recent elections on a TRS ticket. He was a minister in Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet during 1996-99.

Santosh Reddy was twice elected on a Congress ticket from Armoor constituency in Nizamabad district. He joined the TRS and was elected as Nizamabad zilla parishad chairman in 2001.

Narasimha Reddy, who was elected on a TRS ticket from Musheerabad constituency in Hyderabad, had twice represented the same constituency as a member of the Janata Party.

Vijayarama Rao left the TDP to join the TRS. He was elected from Station Ghanpur constituency in Warangal district trouncing former minister Kadiam Srihari.

Captain K Lakshmikantha Rao, who was earlier in the Congress, was elected on a TRS ticket from Huzurabad constituency in Karimnagar district.

Harish Rao is publicity secretary of TRS and the nephew of TRS founder and Union Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Known for his organisational capabilities, Harish has been rewarded for his hard work in the party right from its inception.

He is not a member of the state assembly. He may be the party's candidate for the by-election from the Siddipet constituency, which was vacated by K C Rao who retained his Lok Sabha seat.

Also Read TRS to join government in Andhra Pradesh TRS sticks to Telangana; Rao and Narendra get berths

The TRS fought the recent assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh in alliance with the Congress. The TRS won 26 out of 42 assembly seats and five out of the six Lok Sabha seats it contested as per a poll understanding with the Congress.

The party is committed to the cause of a separate Telangana state. Two of its MPs - K Chandrasekhar Rao and A Narendra - joined the Congress-led coalition ministry at the Centre.

This is the first time that the Congress is heading a coalition government in the state. Incidentally, it is also the first coalition ministry in the state.