Will another ruling party MLA from former united Adilabad district make it to the State Cabinet? The declaration made by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao that he would induct two women ministers whenever the Cabinet gets expanded next has seemingly raised the chances of Khanapur MLA A. Rekha Naik, the lone woman among the nine TRS MLAs from erstwhile united Adilabad district.

“Ms. Naik is a Lambada Scheduled Tribe too,” pointed out one of her associates as he tried to evaluate her chances of making it to the Cabinet. “The Chief Minister has to appoint an incumbent to the Tribal Welfare department and her selection will fulfil that aspect,” he added.

The MLA had won against Congress’ Ramesh Rathod by over 20,000 votes, which came as a surprise even to her supporters. Political observers had actually expected her defeat until just a few days before the December 7 polling.

Old Adilabad had two ministers, Adilabad MLA Jogu Ramanna and Nirmal MLA A. Indrakaran Reddy, in the last Cabinet. While the latter got a berth again, Mr. Ramanna failed to make it.

This has led ruling party leaders to expect that one more MLA from the erstwhile district may be accommodated. If that becomes a reality, Ms. Naik stands a better chance.

Observers, however, point out that KCR may not take another minister from the same district, Nirmal. “He may instead appoint Chennur MLA Balka Suman like he had hinted during his election campaign.”