Anumula Revanth Reddy, who spearheaded the Congress party’s resounding victory in the recent Telangana Assembly elections, officially became the state’s second Chief Minister today. The ceremony, held at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad, saw a crowd of nearly 1 lakh witness the oath-taking of Mr. Reddy and 11 cabinet members.
Among the sworn-in ministers were Mallu Bhatti Vikaramarka as Deputy Chief Minister and N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who initially opposed Mr. Reddy’s appointment. The remaining eight ministers include Sridhar Babu, Ponnam Prabhakar, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Damodar Rajanarasimha, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Dana Anasuya, Tummala Nageswar Rao, Konda Surekha, and Jupally Krishna Rao.
The ceremony drew prominent figures like the Gandhi family, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his congratulations and pledged full support to Telangana’s progress.
Before the oath-taking, Mr. Reddy and Sonia Gandhi enjoyed a victory lap inside the stadium, symbolizing the Congress’s triumph over the K Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). This victory marked a significant shift, ending the BRS’s reign since Telangana’s formation in 2014.
Mr. Reddy, fondly called “Tiger Revanth” by his supporters, played a pivotal role in securing the Congress’s victory. A former TDP leader who joined the Congress in 2017, he assumed the presidency of the Telangana Congress in 2021. His spirited campaign against the KCR government, including leading protests on various issues, fueled the Congress’s success.
However, Mr. Reddy faced internal challenges soon after the victory. Some party members opposed his elevation as Chief Minister, citing corruption allegations and claims of exchanging money for poll tickets. Mr. Reddy, aware of the importance of MLA support for his claim, had strategically ensured his loyalists received tickets. This strategy, coupled with the Congress leadership’s desire for stability, paved the way for Mr. Reddy’s appointment.
Now, as Chief Minister, Mr. Reddy faces a set of crucial tasks. He must fulfill the Congress’s poll promises and prepare the ground for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections within six months. This demanding journey necessitates a focused approach to deliver on the aspirations of Telangana and its people.
