Hyderabad: After over 18 months in power, chief minister A Revanth Reddy is all set to expand his cabinet on Sunday with three to four new ministers likely to be inducted. The general administration department (GAD) is making arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for 12.19 pm. A top Congress functionary late Saturday confirmed the development, putting an end to several days of speculation.Currently, the state cabinet has 12 ministers, including the chief minister, though its strength can go up to 18. The Congress govt has left six berths vacant for over a year, primarily due to intense lobbying from various caste and community groups.According to party sources, the expansion will aim to give representation to Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. Among the leading contenders from the SC community are G Vivek (Mala), either Adluri Laxman Kumar or Kavvampally Satyanarayana, both (Madiga), and Vakati Srihari from the Mudiraj (BC) community. If a fourth minister is inducted, former minister and Bodhan MLA P Sudarshan Reddy could be a likely pick from the OC category, sources added.Talk of the cabinet expansion intensified on Saturday afternoon after reports emerged that the Congress high command had given the green signal. Though no minister is expected to be dropped in this round, a reshuffling of portfolios is also on the cards.Madiga MLAs, including Laxman Kumar (Dharmapuri), Kavvampally Satyanarayana (Manakondur), Kale Yadaiah (Chevella), Mandula Samelu (Thungathurthy), and Vemula Veeresham (Nakrekal), met the CM at his Jubilee Hills residence to press their case. Revanth is said to have assured them that a Madiga MLA would be inducted into the cabinet in this round.From the BC segment, Srihari is seen as a front-runner, with Aadi Srinivas also in the fray. Srihari belongs to the Mudiraj community—one of the state’s most populous BC groups—and is backed by demands for greater Mudiraj representation.Additionally, MLC and former actress Vijayashanti is being considered under the BC women quota. With local body elections on the horizon and the state announcing 42% BC reservation, the inclusion of a BC leader is seen as both strategic and symbolic.Among Reddy leaders, speculation surrounds names such as P Sudarshan Reddy, Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy, and Malreddy Ranga Reddy for a berth in the cabinet. From the ST community, Devarakonda MLA Balu Naik is pushing for inclusion, but with Seethakka already in the cabinet, another ST induction appears unlikely, Congress sources said.Sunday’s cabinet expansion has triggered excitement—and anticipation—within the Congress ranks. While some hopefuls see this round as their chance, others may have to wait longer for a cabinet berth.