In a surprise announcement, Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday night announced the induction of Konidela Nagababu, elder brother of Jana Sena Party president and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan into the cabinet.
Nagababu, who was originally tipped to be nominated to Rajya Sabha, opted out of the race with another alliance partner of the TDP, Bharatiya Janata Party asking for the same.
The BJP announced the candidature of R Krishnaiah, who resigned from the YSR Congress party and his RS membership earlier.
Nagababu, who has been actively working within the Jana Sena Party, is currently serving as the party's General Secretary.
Following this decision, Nagababu is expected to take the oath as a minister soon.
Andhra Pradesh has a provision for 25 ministerial positions based on its assembly seats. However, the current cabinet has 24 members.
At present, only Pawan Kalyan, Kandula Durgesh, and Nadendla Manohar represent Jana Sena as ministers.
As part of the coalition agreement, Jana Sena is entitled to four ministerial positions, and BJP is allotted one. The remaining vacancy is set to be filled by a Jana Sena member.
Simultaneously, the TDP has finalized its two candidates for Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh, as expected, Beeda Mastan Rao and Sana Satish.
Recently, Beeda Mastan Rao resigned from his Rajya Sabha membership, and TDP has re-nominated him for the same seat.
Sana Satish has been fielded to fill Mopidevi Venkataramana's vacancy.
All three coalition candidates are expected to file their nominations on Tuesday, and their election is likely to be unanimous.