BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya to get berth in Union Cabinet

HYDERABAD: The new state of Telangana will now have representation at the Centre with the lone BJP MP Bandaru Dattatreya being inducted into the Union Cabinet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly called up Dattatreya and informed him about his induction into the Cabinet during the cabinet expansion, slated for tomorrow.

Celebrations began at Dattatreya's residence here after the news broke out today.

It is, however, not clear whether he will be made a Cabinet Minister or a Minister of State.

The veteran leader, currently BJP's national vice- president, had earlier served as Minister of State in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet between 1999 and 2004. He held portfolios of urban development and railways.

He was elected to Lok Sabha from Secunderabad constituency in 1991, 1998 and 1999. After losing two successive elections from the same constituency in 2004 and 2009, Dattatreya was re-elected in this year's general election.

He is currently the chairman of OBC MPs Association and has previously served in various parliamentary committees.

Dattatreya is leaving for New Delhi later in the evening.