Firebrand YSR Congress party MLA and former state civil supplies minister Kodali Venkateshwar Rao alias Nani is learnt to have refused to accept the appointment as chairman of the newly constituted AP State Development Corporation.
Kodali was dropped from the cabinet of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy along with 24 others, of which 11 ministers were re-inducted in the revamped cabinet on Monday.
Though Kodali’s name was also tipped to be among the 11, his name was dropped at the last moment and in his place Jogi Ramesh was inducted as a representation from Krishna district.
In order to appease Kodali, the chief minister announced on Sunday itself that he was being appointed as the chairman of AP State Development Corporation, a cabinet rank post with all the facilities of a minister and protocol.
However, sources said Kodali is not interested in accepting the post and he has conveyed the same to Jagan politely.
He is learnt to have told the chief minister that there is a start difference between a cabinet minister and a cabinet-rank post.
“Moreover, I don’t want that an impression is created among the people that I was given the post only as an appeasement. This will damage my reputation more than the stripping of the ministerial post. I shall better continue as an MLA,” Kodali is understood to have told Jagan.
He, however, said he was not unhappy.
“I am not a person craving for posts or positions. I shall work as a worker in Jagan’s garage. I care a straw for the cabinet berth. And I don’t need any other post,” he clarified to Jagan.
Kodali, however, appreciated the chief minister for ensuring social justice in the formation of the cabinet.
“He is creating a social revolution. He has a rare personality. We shall strive to bring him back to power for a second successive term in the next elections,” he added.