HYDERABAD: As part of its efforts to put in place a complete team, the Congress has named C Damodar Raja Narasimha as the deputy chief minister. A notification to this effect was issued by the Raj Bhavan on Friday.Raja Narasimha’s elevation is the last in the series of appointments made in quick succession over the past couple of weeks as the ruling party got down to the task of setting its house in order.The only exercise that is left now is a rejig of the Cabinet which is expected before this month-end, possibly after the formal merger of the PRP with the Congress which would allow induction of Chiranjeevi’s legislators into the government.As and when the reshuffle happens, portfolios are also likely to be changed and Raja Narasimha might be given Home. He is currently handling Higher Education.Raja Narasimha’s selection is part of the regional/caste balance that the Congress leadership kept in mind while picking candidates for various positions.While the chief minister is a Reddy from Rayalaseema, Narasimha hails from Telangana and is a Dalit (belonging to the Madiga community). Speaker Nadendla Manohar is from the Kamma community and the heart of coastal region while PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana represents the backward north coastal region and the BC community. That makes the circle complete. Having a deputy chief minister from Telangana when the chief minister is from other regions was a part of the Gentlemen’s Agreement but it was observed more in breach. Now that the Telangana statehood demand has reached the peak, the Congress leadership seems to think that such mollification measures will help cool the tempers.Reacting to his elevation, Raja Narasimha said he would convey the aspirations of the people of Telangana to the leadership and also work towards ameliorating the plight of Dalits. Congress leaders welcomed the appointment of Raja Narasimha and congratulated him on his elevation to the post of deputy chief minister.
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