Parties start celebrating

Hyderabad, April 23: Even before the voting machines have been sealed up after the second phase of polls, political parties of the state are discussing cabinet formation and apportioning of portfolios.

The three main political formations — the Congress, the Mahakutami and the Praja Rajyam — are confident about forming the next government.
While the Congress is already talking of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s next term, the Telugu Desam and TRS leaders are discussing who should handle which portfolio.
Leaders of the Left parties and Telugu Rashtra Samiti have projected the TD president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, as the next Chief Minister, much to his delight. The Left parties are, however, undecided on whether to join the Mahakutami government.
Anyway, Mr Naidu’s confidence of winning 160 seats seems to have infected his colleagues too and they are already dreaming of getting plum portfolios.
“We are returning to power,” said the TD leader, Mr Yerranaidu. “People are fed with the corrupt Congress. The Cash Transfer Scheme and free colour TV are our trump cards.”
Many TD leaders who were denied tickets are now dreaming of legislative council and corporation chairperson posts. “I didn’t ask for a ticket but I am sure Mr Naidu will take care of me,” said one leader. “If I get a council seat I can enter the ministry.” When asked whether they were counting the chickens before they are hatched, a TD leader retorted: “The Praja Rajyam turned out to be a bubble and there has been a change in favour of the Mahakutami in the last several days.” But not everyone has bought the leadership’s claims. “If we fail, it will be end of the Naidu era,” said another TD leader.
The TRS chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, too is busy mulling whether it would be more beneficial to join the Mahakutami or a possible NDA ministry. He is hopeful of bagging 30 plus Assembly and eight Lok Sabha seats.