Panchayat poll code comes in way of Cabinet formation

​Hyderabad: The ensuing panchayat elections have cast a long shadow on the constitution of Telangana state cabinet which has been hanging fire since the formation of new Telangana government headed by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on December 13.

Even as KCR hinted that his cabinet will be constituted soon after Sankranti festival, it is unlikely to come into being in view of the election code clamped by State Election Commission (SEC) on the sidelines of the conduct of panchayat elections.

Since the poll code is in force till January 30, the swearing in of ministers is also not allowed. Earlier, KCR gave sufficient indication that an 8 to 10 ministers will take oath after Sankranti. It is also reportedly decided to organise the swearing-in ceremony on the auspicious day between January 18 and 20. Sources said that KCR had planned to induct a few members into his cabinet before Lok Sabha elections and the rest of them will be inducted after the general elections.

The Election Commission is contemplating issuing notification in February. KCR would have to form the cabinet soon after the panchayat poll code is lifted. If there is any delay, the EC notification for Lok Sabha elections will come as another stumbling block to form the cabinet in February also.

Once the notification issued, the poll code will come into force until the declaration of the poll results in April end or in May. Sources said that KCR is finding auspicious days in February before the announcement of poll schedule by the election commission. After the general elections, Cooperative, MPTC and ZPTC and Municipal elections are due in the Telangana in June and July.