Telangana Cabinet expansion: A calculated move towards social justice Premium

Telangana Cabinet expansion prioritises social justice with representation from marginalised communities, setting the stage for political evolution.

The long-awaited expansion of the Telangana Cabinet reflected the Congress Government’s commitment to social justice and inclusive representation.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy gave the final touches on Saturday (June 7, 2025) night on what appears to be a politically astute, yet socially balanced reshuffle, since the all the three new Ministers are from the marginalised communities.

The expansion underscores Revanth Reddy’s “social justice formula”, which he has consistently advocated since assuming office. The decision to induct three Ministers from downtrodden castes, including one from the Mudiraj community, aligns with the Congress’s larger social narrative and follows in the wake of the recent caste survey conducted by the government.

Ponnam Prabhkar from the Goud Community and Konda Surekha from Munnuru Kapus, two strong OBC communities (Konda Surekha is a Padmashali but her husband is a Munnuru Kapu) have already been accommodated in the initial Cabinet formation. The addition of a Mudiraj Minister now brings balance among the dominant Backward Classes.

Notably, for the first time in Telangana’s political history, four Ministers from Scheduled Castes (SCs) will serve simultaneously in the Cabinet, a record, especially when the Speaker of the Assembly also belongs to the SC community. This is being seen as a direct reflection of Rahul Gandhi’s influence, pushing the party toward greater representation for the marginalised.

However, the expansion is not without its political friction. Three berths remain vacant, with Minorities and Scheduled Tribes (STs) still awaiting representation. The move has left Reddy leaders, traditionally powerful in Telangana politics, on the sidelines, caught in a power tussle between Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and P. Sudershan Reddy.

The three vacancies are directly related to the party’s dilemma in choosing one among them. P Sudershan Reddy, a Congress veteran worked in Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy’s Cabinet in the combined State. His name was pushed hard by the CM Revanth Reddy with the high command.