Jagan Reddy overhauls cabinet, represents backward classes in big way

Hyderabad: Keeping his promise of June 2019, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has reconstituted his cabinet. The new cabinet has a mix of senior and experienced leaders as well as fresh and young faces for balanced governance.

Young leaders will be responsible for bringing new ideas and initiatives focused on people-oriented governance, while the seniors will bring their expertise and experience to the table.

In spite of this, the previous ministers will be given responsibilities within the party so that they can capitalize on their experience to ensure the party's victory at the upcoming assembly and general elections in 2024.

Throughout the tenure of the Reddy cabinet, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, minorities and backward classes have received unprecedented representation.

As of 2019, 56 percent of Mr Reddy's 25 ministers were from Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minorities. This year, they have increased to 68 percent.

As of this time, there are 17 members from the Backward Classes - 11 from Other Backward Classes, 5 from SC and 1 from ST, while in the previous cabinet there were five members from Scheduled Castes, one from Scheduled Tribes, and seven from Other Backward Classes.

Three of the 10 ministers from the previous cabinet are scheduled castes, five are backward classes, and two are from other castes.

As of 2014, Chandrababu Naidu had 13 members of Other Castes, 12 members of Scheduled Castes, and no ministers from Scheduled Tribes and minority communities.

When Mr Naidu reorganized his cabinet in 2017, the Scheduled Tribes were only included four months before he finished his term.

Mr. Reddy's new cabinet saw a 50% increase in SC, ST, BC, and minority representation. Mr. Reddy appointed five Deputy Chief Ministers, four of whom were from Scheduled Castes and Tribes and minorities.

As in this cabinet, the same principle was followed, even in nominated positions, including those of temple chairman, municipal chairman, mayor, and corporation chairman.

Additionally, Mr. Reddy's government has passed a law mandating that out of the 50 per cent representation for SCs, STs, BCs, and minorities, 50 per cent is reserved for women.

Increasing the number of women in the cabinet is something the Chief Minister has always prioritized, and the numbers have increased from three to four compared to the previous cabinet.