As expected, Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao expanded his cabinet on Tuesday without inducting his son KTR and nephew T Harish Rao, though he took ten new ministers into his cabinet.
While KCR keeping aside KTR did not evoke any major reactions, what created political ripples was Harish being left out.
This is because KCR had elevated his son KTR as party's working president soon after TRS swept Assembly polls with a thumping majority in December 2018 giving enough indications that he wants to pave way for his son for the smooth takeover of party and government, in the event of KCR shifting to national politics after Lok Sabha polls.
In this way, KTR's golden future has been secured by his father, but uncertainty looms large over the future of Harish Rao, who worked day and night to strengthen TRS since its inception in 2001 and also to bring good name to KCR's government in his first term as irrigation minister by expediting irrigation projects.
Harish supporters in TRS remain shell shocked looking at current developments in the party, where their leader was praised as 'trouble shooter' and popular mass leader after KCR.
Harish supporters now pin their hopes on KCR handing over crucial responsibility of Lok Sabha polls to Harish Rao and taking him into cabinet after Lok Sabha polls.
But it all depends what role KCR would play in national politics after Lok Sabha polls.
If KCR shifts to national politics, he may take Harish along with him to Delhi and make him contest Medak Lok Sabha seat but the chance of KCR giving Harish major role in state politics look remote given that he wants his son to rise in party and government.
After cabinet expansion, Harish tried to cool down the emotions of his supporters saying that, "I am a disciplined soldier of TRS. Whatever our party chief KCR asks me to do, I will do that cent per cent wholeheartedly. The question of any dissidence does not arise for not getting cabinet berth."