Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty Hyderabad

TheCongress leadership is expected to finalise the names for corporation chairperson posts after July 15 following discussions between Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, AICC Telangana in-charge general secretary Meenakshi Natarajan, and TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud. The tenure of all 37 corporation chairpersons has already ended.

It is learnt that the final list of leaders selected for the corporation posts will be sent to the party high command for approval. After receiving approval, the party and the state government are likely to officially announce the appointments.

Meenakshi Natarajan is expected to arrive in Hyderabad on July 13 or 14. A meeting with the Chief Minister and TPCC chief has been scheduled for July 15 to discuss and finalise the names for the corporation posts.

Speaking on Friday, TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud said, “We will take a decision regarding corporation posts on July 15 after discussing the matter with CM Revanth Reddy and Meenakshi Natarajan.”

Meanwhile, discussions at Gandhi Bhavan indicate that the party leadership is considering whether to renew the appointments of existing chairpersons or adopt a new strategy in selecting corporation heads.

Instead of reappointing those who held the posts during the first term, the leadership is reportedly considering giving opportunities to loyal party workers who contributed to the Congress but missed out earlier. However, it is learnt that some of the existing chairpersons are likely to get renewed terms.

Sources said the State Congress in-charge, TPCC Chief, and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy are expected to hold discussions over the appointments on July 14. After reaching a preliminary decision, the leadership is likely to consult senior state leaders to build consensus before announcing the names.

There are also indications that those who served as corporation chairpersons during the previous term may be accommodated with key responsibilities within the party if they are not reappointed.

Political observers said it remains to be seen whether the Congress leadership will provide opportunities to new faces, retain existing chairpersons to avoid internal complications, or adopt a different approach in the final selection process.