Cabinet reshuffle delay due to Bihar polls: Rayapati

Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao on Wednesday stated the Cabinet expansion was delayed due to the Assembly elections in Bihar state and political crisis in Bharatiya Janata Party ruled southern state of Karnataka.

Talking to media persons after meeting Chief Minister K Rosaiah at his residence in Ameerpet, Mr Sambasiva Rao stated that the Congress High Command had delayed the expansion of Cabinet due to Bihar Assembly elections and political crisis in neighbouring Karnataka.

When asked if tainted or inefficient Ministers would be dropped in the reshuffled, the MP said that this was Mr Rosaiah’s prerogative and he would decide whether to continue with them or drop them.

Earlier, Mr Sambasiva Rao had demanded that the Chief Minister resign if he cannot sack the corrupt ministers.

Reacting on the defamation suit for Rs 1 crore filed in Guntur district Court against him on behalf of the Major Industries Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, Mr Sambasiva Rao stated that he had heard about the case through the media. He denied receiving any court notice over the case. “I have not received court notice so far. I will react only after receiving the court copy,” he said.

Major Industries Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana had filed the defamation suit against Mr Sambasiva Rao after the latter had alleged that the Minister was involved in large-scale corruption.

Earlier, the Minister served legal notice and given Mr Sambasiva Rao three days to show proof about the allegations made against him. Mr Lakshminarayan’s advocate Sanjeeva Reddy had then proceeded to file the suit.

The MP also praised Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy and said that he enjoyed immense popularity among the people. He also said that he will extend his complete support to Mr Jaganmohan Reddy.