Hyderabad:
In Hyderabad, Jagan Mohan Reddy received a visitor today - his uncle, Vivekananda - who upset the family cart by agreeing to be a minister in the new Andhra Pradesh Cabinet.
It was an attempt perhaps by Vivekananda to prove that his differences with Jagan are not irreconcilable. Another likely motive: To not become estranged from Jagan who is adored by voters for being the son of YSR Reddy, one of the state's most charismatic and popular leaders.
The family ties between uncle and nephew could be tested when Jagan, who quit the Congress party a few days ago, launches his own party. Since his father died in a helicopter crash last year, he has been disgruntled with the Congress not paying him his due. First, K Rosaiah was appointed Chief Minister after YSR's death. Rosaiah was unable to cope with Jagan's dissent, and that led to him being replaced by Kiran Kumar Reddy.
For whom the transition hasn't been easy - and it's only been 24 hours since he was sworn in. A minister - appointed yesterday - has resigned already for being given the Tourism portfolio. Vasant Kumar that wasn't a high-profile job, so he opted out. Four other senior ministers also made their discontent known, provoking a frenzied morning of negotiations.
By 4.30 pm, when the Cabinet met for the first time, the show of defiance had lost much of its steam. Everyone showed up - save the minister who had quit.
Those who believe they were not given juicy ministries say they have been heard by the party.
"In the Cabinet, there has to be a proper distribution. We had a discussion. We brought it to the notice of the high command. They have assured that all issues will be sorted out," said one of them, Damodar Rajanarasimha.
Sources in the Congress point out that of the four sulking ministers, three currently face allegations of corruption. The fourth has to answer for his family members joining Jagan's Odarpu Yatra - a road show that the Congress ordered him unsuccessfully to cut short.
The real problem for Kiran Reddy may come from the Jagan loyalists who were ministers in Rosaiah's Cabinet but have now been dropped. Men like former Forests Minister Ramachandra Reddy, who said, "If Jagan had remained in the Congress, I would have worked with him. But now I won't. But one thing is certain, I will work against Kiran Kumar Reddy."
If these disgruntled MLAs switch to Jagan's camp, the math could slowly start creeping up against Kiran Reddy - for his government to be forced into a minority, 50 MLAs need to abandon him. Jagan's camp says he has 30 willing to join him. That could make the Congress heavily reliant on actor-politician Chiranjeevi who has 18 MLAs. Chiranjeevi has said if required, he will support the government without joining it. Kiran Reddy's negotiation skills are likely to be tested severely in the next few days.