AMARAVATHI: The NDA-led government has announced Chief Whips and Whips for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, a move eagerly awaited by NDA MLAs and MLCs. In a record decision, 20 individuals have been appointed to these roles.
In the Legislative Assembly, Vinukonda MLA GV Anjaneyulu has been appointed as the Chief Whip, while Panchumarthi Anuradha has been named Chief Whip in the Legislative Council. Additionally, Raghu Rama Krishna Raju has been appointed as the Deputy Speaker.
Raghu Rama Krishna Raju Appointed as Deputy Speaker
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has finalized Raghu Rama Krishna Raju’s name for the position of Deputy Speaker in the State Legislative Assembly, with an official notification expected soon. Raju, formerly a YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP from Narasapuram, distanced himself from the party after raising concerns about corruption and alleged illegal activities within the YSRCP. Following this, he joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and was later elected as an MLA from the Undi constituency.
A Record Number of Whips Appointed
In an unprecedented move, the government has appointed 16 Whips, including a Chief Whip, in the Legislative Assembly and 4 Whips, including a Chief Whip, in the Legislative Council. After the state’s bifurcation, there used to be one Chief Whip and four Whips in total. However, the YSRCP government had increased the count to nine Whips. Now, the NDA government has raised the total to 20. This increase is attributed to a higher number of MLAs from the three-party coalition, with a record 164 MLAs and increased demand for these positions. Additionally, the government has allocated appropriate positions to alliance parties, providing three Whip positions in the Assembly and one in the Council to Jana Sena Party (JSP), and one Whip position in the Assembly to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Political and Social Balancing Act in Appointments
The government undertook these appointments based on political and social considerations. Notably, GV Anjaneyulu from the Palnadu region was selected as Assembly Chief Whip, as no leaders from this district were represented in the cabinet. Panchumarthi Anuradha, who won the MLC seat under the MLA quota during the YSRCP tenure, has been appointed as the Chief Whip in the Council, and her representation as a member of the Backward Classes (BC) community contributed to her selection. NTR district has the highest number of appointees, with Panchumarthi Anuradha, Bonda Uma, and Tangirala Soumya securing positions.
From Kadapa district, Adinarayana Reddy and Reddappa Gari Madhavi have been appointed. Notably, eight first-time MLAs have been given Whip roles in the Legislative Assembly. Similarly, all four Whips in the Legislative Council, including the Chief Whip, are first-time appointees.
Of the 20 Whips, seven belong to the Backward Classes (BC) community, including five in the Assembly. Additionally, the Chief Whip position and one Whip position in the Council have been allotted to BC members. In the Assembly, three Scheduled Caste (SC) members and one Scheduled Tribe (ST) member have been appointed as Whips. The Chief Whips hold cabinet rank, while the Whips are designated as ministers of state.
