Jagan Mohan gives more voice to SCs, STs in revamped cabinet

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has reshuffled his cabinet, keeping his promise of June 2019 of revamping his team in the middle of his term. 

The new cabinet has a mix of experienced and fresh faces. 

While the seniors will bring in their expertise and experience on to the table, the young leaders will bring in innovative ideas and initiatives, focussing on people-oriented governance.

The previous ministers, however, will be given responsibilities in the party so they can make use of their experience to ensure the party’s victory in the upcoming assembly and general elections in 2024.

From the beginning, the representation Reddy gave to Scheduled Castes and Tribes, minorities and backward classes is unprecedented in Andhra Pradesh and the same continues in this cabinet as well.

In 2019, when Reddy formed his cabinet, 56 per cent of his 25 ministers were from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minorities.

This time, the CM has increased their representation to 68 per cent.

In the previous cabinet, there were five members of the Scheduled Castes, one from Scheduled Tribes, seven members of the Other Backward Classes, one from minority. This time, the representation has been increased by 17 – 11 from the Backward Classes, 5 from Scheduled Castes and 1 from Scheduled Tribes.

Of the 10 ministers retained from the previous cabinet, three are from Scheduled Castes, five from Backward Classes and two from other castes.