AP: Jagan to have 5 deputy CMs, each from different communities

The deputy CMs would be from the SC, ST, BC, minority and Kapu communities

Jagan Mohan Reddy YSRCP legislators Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy addressing YSRCP legislators | Twitter handle of YSR Congress

In what could be an unprecedented move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday decided to have five deputy chief ministers under him in a full 25-member Cabinet.

The new council of ministers will be constituted at a public function in Amravati on Saturday.

Jagan held a meeting of the YSR Congress Legislature Party at his residence in Amravati on Friday morning where he announced the decision to appoint five deputy chief ministers. Accordingly, one person each from the SC, ST, BC, minority and Kapu communities would be made deputy chief minister.

Jagan also told his legislators that the Cabinet would predominantly comprise members from the weaker sections, contrary to expectations that the Reddy community would get a lion's share.

Jagan said the Cabinet would be reconstituted two-and-half years later after a midterm review of the government's performance.

In the previous N. Chandrababu Naidu government, one member each from the Kapu and BC communities was made deputy chief minister.

Jagan's decision to have five deputy chief ministers is seen as a revolutionary step that is aimed at keeping those communities in good humour.