Another roll of the dice to regain lost ground?

The reshuffle of the Union Cabinet is not on the cards as the Congress high command is said to be accommodating the Chief Ministers either in the Union cabinet or the AICC secretariat.

The idea of the replacing the CMs is a result of the feeling that they cannot lead the party to victory in the general elections. A section of the Congress feels that the change of guard should have been effected in AP long ago.

Andhra Pradesh is the only major state where the Congress is in power on its own, but the strong emergence of the YSR Congress as the most powerful political force in the state, and the unrest over the Telangana issue has made it well-nigh impossible for the party to  do well in 2014.

 The Congress could cobble up an alliance at the centre thanks to the 33 MPs Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy managed to send to the Lok Sabha single-handedly. But after his demise, the Congress party has been battling crisis after crisis. Moreover, it has fared poorly in the Assembly by-polls to 18 constituencies held few months ago,

 While several MLAs have already shifted to the YSRCP many are said to be waiting in the wings to desert the congress and cross over.  To keep its flock together, the high command are planning to do indulge in some damage control exercises and is trying to woo MLAs and corporators.

 Speculation is rife that Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy could replace Kiran Kumar, but the Petroleum Minister is pleading ignorance about any such a move. Jaipal Reddy hails from the Telangana region and some Congress leaders also feel that if Jaiplal Reddy replaces Kiran Kumar Reddy, then he may help Telangana leaders in getting a separate T-state.

- Siva@sakshipost