All eyes on today’s Cabinet meeting

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is expected to end the suspense over early elections to the Assembly during the TRS’ blockbuster public meeting, Telangana Pragathi Nivedana Sabha, being held at Kongana Kalan on the city outskirts on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at Kongara Kalan after inspecting arrangements for the meeting, Mr Rama Rao said, “I am too excited to know what will happen in tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. Let us see what will happen. When we are about to eat the dishes, there is no point in asking about the taste.”

Mr Rama Rao’s remarks were in response to questions asked by mediapersons on whether or not the Chief Minister would take a decision to dissolve the Assembly at Sunday's Cabinet meeting. Mr Nageswara Rao said, “I don’t know what will happen in tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. But as far as I know the Assembly elections in Telangana state will be held in 2018.” This was the most direct hint that the elections could be held in December, just four months away.

The CM’s decisions over the past month have also pointed towards the prospect of early elections. Mr Rao has announced sops for various sections and transferred IAS, IPS officials and other staff at the districts level.

The Cabinet meeting to be held on Sunday is also expected to shower 'election sops' on all sections.

Mr Rao is expected to head straight to Raj Bhavan after the meeting and inform Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan about his decision and convene another Cabinet meeting on September 6 to pass a unanimous resolution seeking dissolution of the Assembly.