Revanth Reddy’s fancy for Andhra officials in Telangana posts comes under fire

The latest appointment of KS Sreenivasa Raju, a retired IAS officer from AP, as Principal Secretary to the CM, has reignited the debate on Andhra dominance in Telangana administration ever since the Cong came to power

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has once again appointed a retired Andhra Pradesh cadre officer to a key post in the Telangana government. The latest appointment of KS Sreenivasa Raju, a retired IAS officer from Andhra Pradesh, as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, has reignited the debate on Andhra dominance in Telangana administration ever since the Congress came to power.

The appointment has drawn severe criticism over the Revanth Reddy administration’s growing preference for Andhra Pradesh-based officials and political functionaries in key Telangana administrative roles, despite the State’s bifurcation over a decade ago.

Sreenivasa Raju, who earlier served in Andhra Pradesh in various capacities including as Joint Executive Officer of TTD and retired from the Andhra cadre, was brought into the Telangana government last July as a government advisor on Infrastructure and Projects. But following the State government’s decision to discontinue the services of retired officers, he is learnt to have been accommodated in the Chief Minister’s Office and will continue to hold the position for next two years.

This is not an isolated instance. An alarming trend has emerged under Revanth Reddy’s tenure, with those said to be close to the Andhra Pradesh government or having roots in TDP, occupying influential posts in the Telangana government.

Anila Vavilla was appointed Vice-Chairman and MD of TGREDCO; former AP Chief Secretary Adityanath Das is now advisor on irrigation; Ayyadevara Prasanna Kumar is serving as Assembly advisor; and Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar, former AP Election Commissioner, is also a government advisor.

Even more striking, a former TDP leader from Andhra Pradesh has been appointed to the Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC), raising serious questions about the government’s intent and commitment to Telangana’s identity and autonomy.

Despite a decade since bifurcation, Telangana’s top posts continue to be handed to non-locals, fuelling discontent among local bureaucrats and Telangana activists alike. Critics argue that by sidelining capable local officers and experts in favour of Andhra cadre retirees and political appointees, Revanth Reddy is undoing the hard-won aspirations of Telangana’s people.