The expansion of Telangana cabinet by Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao may happen earlier than expected, as the Telangana State Election Commission has clarified that that the enforcement of model code of conduct is not applicable to the cabinet expansion.
There were reports that KCR might postpone the cabinet expansion to February, as the model code of conduct which came into force with the announcement of schedule for panchayat raj elections in the state will not permit him to take any decisions, including expansion of cabinet.
Already, it has been nearly a month since the TRS came to power for the second successive term and there has been virtually no government in the state.
Only KCR and home minister Mohd Mahmud Ali took oath on December 13. Though KCR said he would expand his cabinet four or five days later, it did not happen.
And he later said he would go in expansion only after Sankranti festival because of inauspicious days.
In the meantime, the model code of conduct for panchayat polls came into force, leading to the talk that the expansion will take place only in February.
However, SEC made it clear that election code was no hindrance for cabinet expansion which is a routine matter.
Now, the TRS chief has no problems in inducting more ministers into the cabinet immediately after Sankranti festival.
In any case, he might not take more than six or seven ministers in the first phase and go in for another round of expansion only after the Lok Sabha election.