Hyderabad: Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s promise to elevate government chief whip and TRS Dharmapuri MLA Koppula Eshwar as Cabinet minister has stumped other ministers.

This is Mr Chandrasekhar Rao’s second such shocking promise to party legislators. At a cultural function, the CM said Telangana Samskrithika Saradhi chairman, E. Balakishan, popularly called Rasamayi Balakishan will be made a minister soon.

With the present Cabinet full to its brim as per Constitutional norms with a total of 18 ministers, including the CM, Mr Rao has no option but to sack some to accommodate new incumbents. Though he gave six Cabinet berths through Parliamentary Secretaries, the High Court struck it down.

There is also no woman in the Cabinet which earned the ire of the Opposition while commercial taxes minister, T. Srinivas Yadav’s continuation as TD MLA in the Cabinet is proving quite a nuisance for Mr Rao.

Who will be in and who will be out is now being speculated among ministers, TRS MLAs and party leaders.

Sources in the government said the CM was reviewing the performance of every minister in the handling of portfolio, public impression in the constituency; district in particular, state in general, among others.

The CM gets reports through government and private agencies. The CM’s off-the-cuff remark sent shock waves among ministers. Who is next after T. Rajaiah’s exit is now the question on everyone’s lip.

The CM did give enough hints at closed door meetings with ministers, legislators that there is no guarantee of a 5-year term for a minister and they could be dropped if they do not perform or drafted for party work.

The CM also said they should also pave the way for others when required, a senior TRS MLA told this newspaper.