Congress nominates Revanth Reddy as new Telangana Chief Minister, swearing-in on December 7

NEW DELHI: The Congress has made it official. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Revanth Reddy will be the new Chief Minister of Telangana.

Addressing media here on Tuesday, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "Revanth Reddy has been elected as Congress Legislative Party leader. The oath-taking ceremony of the new Telangana Chief Minister will be held on December 7."

Race for Deputy Chief Minister's post

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and AICC Telangana incharge Manikrao Thakare went to New Delhi on Monday to appraise the high command of the views of 64 MLAs, which was taken in a one-on-one meeting at a private hotel at Gachibowli. Their views were submitted to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday.

There was also a difference of opinion on Deputy Chief Minister's post. Madhira MLA Malli Bhatti Vikramarka, who was being tipped as the Dalit Chief Ministerial face of the Congress, reportedly opposed the idea of having multiple Deputy Chief Ministers stating that if he was denied the Chief Minister's post, then he must be made the only Deputy Chief Minister and that he should be given an important portfolio.

Former Telangana Congress president and Huzurnagar MLA N Uttam Kumar Reddy also was summoned to New Delhi on Tuesday by the Congress high command as he also put his hand up as a contender for the top post.

Before the party finalsed Revanth Reddy's name, Uttam spoke to reporters that he was well qualified for the job as he was a seven-time MLA and a staunch loyalist of the Congress party besides having a “good track record” of having served in the Armed forces.

"I worked in the Indian armed forces before joining politics. I have a good track record. I hope that they will examine my name also (for the Chief Minister's post). I was also the PCC president and also a Minister in United Andhra Pradesh," he said when asked if he was in the race for the Chief Minister's post.

He, however, said he will abide by the decision of the party’s senior leadership.

Manthani MLA Sridhar Babu too made a dramatic comment earlier in the day that all the 64 MLAs of the Congress were Chief Ministerial candidates.