Pawan Kalyan and Lokesh Likely to Secure Berths in Naidu's Cabinet

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, set to become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time on Wednesday, is busy finalizing the names for his state cabinet. Among the likely members are his son and party’s general secretary, Nara Lokesh, and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan.

With Jana Sena and BJP joining the cabinet, Naidu is carefully determining the number of positions to be given to allies and selecting candidates to ensure a balance of regional and social representation.

On Tuesday, a crucial NDA meeting will be held in Vijayawada to officially declare Naidu as the CM candidate. All elected MLAs from TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP will attend, where Naidu’s name will be formally proposed by NDA members and a resolution submitted to the governor.

The NDA partners secured 164 out of 175 seats, leading to high competition for the 26 available cabinet positions, including the CM. Naidu aims to accommodate both party seniors and allies within this limit.

Sources indicate that Jana Sena, which won all 21 seats it contested, is likely to receive four to five cabinet positions. Confirmed names include Pawan Kalyan and Nadendla Manohar, with Kalyan expected to choose candidates from backward class, SC, and Kapu communities to ensure social balance.

For the BJP, one or two cabinet positions are likely. The names of Sujana Chowdary and Vishnu Raju are being considered for these slots.