Union Cabinet expansion: TDP's Chowdary to get MoS berth

According to sources, the Prime Minister only offered the MoS rank to Chowdary although he had aspired for a Cabinet minister berth

Industrialist-turned-politician and TDP Rajya Sabha member Yalamanchili Satyanarayana alias 'Sujana' Chowdary will be inducted into the Narendra Modi government in the rank of a Minister of State as part of the Cabinet expansion slated for tomorrow.

Based on a suggestion from the Prime Minister's Office, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wrote back naming 53-year-old Chowdary -- the leader of the Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party -- as their choice for an MoS post in the Union Cabinet.

It was the first instance of the Prime Minister seeking -- after indicating the rank in a 'prescribed format' -- a written communication from an alliance partner regarding a clear choice of nominee for the Cabinet berth, a key aide of the Chief Minister said.

According to the aide, the Prime Minister only offered the MoS rank to Chowdary although he had aspired for a Cabinet minister berth. Chandrababu had to placate the sulking MP and forwarded the name as sought by the PMO, the aide added.

Meanwhile, Chowdary met Chandrababu here this morning and thanked him for proposing his name for the Union MoS post.

"I will discharge my duties effectively in whatever portfolio I am offered. I will make use of the opportunity and strive for the development of the state and also serve the country," Chowdary told reporters after meeting Chandrababu.

Chowdary hails from Krishna district in coastal Andhra and belongs to the Kamma community. A mechanical engineer by training, he started off as an industrialist, setting up the Sujana group in 1986 in Hyderabad.

During Chandrababu's stint in the Chief Minister's post in the mid-90s, Chowdary became close to him and was one of the main fund-raisers of TDP.

In 2010, Chandrababu offered him a Rajya Sabha seat in recognition of his contribution to the party.

He went on to become Chandrababu's man Friday and was made the leader of TDP's Parliamentary Party after the May 2014 general elections.

Chowdary also heads the Resources Management Committee of the Andhra Pradesh government for pooling financial resources for the state post its bifurcation. He is also part of the State Capital Advisory Committee.