Hyderabad:
The infighting within the Telangana Congress has taken a decisive flip. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has sacked Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from his cupboard, escalating the previous guard vs new guard battle throughout the occasion.
Revanth Reddy’s transfer got here after the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee’s disciplinary committee really useful motion in opposition to the minister over controversial remarks made by her daughter, Konda Sushmita Patel, in opposition to the chief minister and his household.
The disciplinary committee reportedly proposed not solely Surekha’s removing from the cupboard but in addition the removing of Chinna Reddy from the Telangana Planning Board, citing violations of occasion self-discipline.
The choice to behave in opposition to Surekha signifies a considerable escalation within the ongoing confrontation between the chief minister and sure sections of the Congress management, who’ve grow to be more and more essential of how the Telangana unit is being managed.
Surekha Refuses to Again Down
The controversy erupted after Surekha’s daughter, Sushmita Patel, made remarks in opposition to Revanth Reddy and his household throughout a public programme in August. Surekha maintained that her daughter’s views have been private and that she shouldn’t be held answerable for them.
Nonetheless, that rationalization didn’t fulfill elements of the state Congress, particularly MLAs perceived as near the chief minister, who demanded disciplinary motion in opposition to the minister.
Revanth is known to have mentioned the problem with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC basic secretary (organisation) Okay.C. Venugopal throughout his go to to Delhi, urging stringent measures.
Additionally learn: Telangana Minister’s Daughter Criticised Revanth Reddy. Then A Sacking
In the meantime, Surekha refused to resign regardless of mounting strain and challenged the occasion management to take motion in opposition to her.
She additionally wrote letters to the AICC prime brass, expressing her discontent at her removing.
“I used to be dismissed with none prior discover. The letter was issued with out my signature. I’ve not made any selections but. What do what my relations mentioned should do with me? I’ve been making an attempt for ten years to safe a celebration ticket for my daughter. I’ve not dedicated any corruption. On the very least, they need to have spoken to me earlier than making such a call,” mentioned Konda Surekha.
The choice to suggest her removing from the cupboard clearly demonstrates the chief minister’s authority.
The transfer’s significance extends past Surekha herself.
A cupboard dismissal sponsored by the excessive command additionally sends a robust political sign to different leaders throughout the state unit, reaffirming that the chief minister holds the ability to determine his ministerial group.
OBC Issue Provides One other Dimension
Surekha’s removing additionally includes delicate social and political issues.
As a lady chief with a political base within the former Warangal area, her removing might generate resentment amongst some Different Backward Lessons (OBC) teams and supply ammunition to critics accusing the Congress of favouring leaders from specific social and political backgrounds.
Surekha herself had questioned whether or not the occasion was making use of completely different requirements to Backward Lessons and non-Backward Lessons leaders.
Recognising the political optics, Revanth Reddy has moved swiftly to bolster OBC illustration in the identical area.
As a part of this balancing act, three OBC girls from Warangal district have been appointed to key boards and companies: Gadwal Vijayalakshmi as vice-chairperson of the Telangana Planning Board, Nerella Sharada as chairperson of the Telangana State Ladies’s Fee, and former Rajya Sabha MP G. Sudha Rani as chairperson of the Kakatiya City Improvement Authority.
These appointments are seen inside Congress circles as efforts to restrict the political fallout of Surekha’s removing and reassure OBC leaders that the motion in opposition to one distinguished chief will not result in wider marginalisation.
From Private Controversy To Political Energy Wrestle
What began as an issue over feedback by a minister’s daughter has escalated right into a broader battle over who controls the Telangana Congress.
The episode has revealed an growing divide between the occasion’s established management and the newer era that has mushroomed round Revanth Reddy because the Congress’s return to energy in Telangana.
The so-called previous guard contains senior leaders resembling Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, D. Sridhar Babu, Damodar Rajanarasimha, Konda Surekha, and veteran chief V. Hanumantha Rao.
On the opposite facet is the Revanth Reddy-led faction, comprising leaders and MPs aligned with the Chief Minister’s increasing political community, together with Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Anil Kumar Yadav, Vem Narender Reddy, and ministers like Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Seethakka.
The growing friction means that the battle is not merely about particular person statements or disciplinary breaches, however about political affect and succession throughout the Telangana Congress.
One other Warning From The Previous Guard
The Surekha controversy comes amid rising tensions between senior Congress veterans and the brand new management.
Nalgonda’s distinguished chief, Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, not too long ago issued a warning in opposition to makes an attempt by newcomers to dominate the state Congress.
“If they arrive to our residence and drive us out, it isn’t good,” he mentioned, asserting that no person might “seize” the Congress whereas he stays within the occasion.
His remarks add to the notion that Telangana Congress is witnessing a deeper rivalry between longstanding leaders and people consolidating round Revanth Reddy.
Because the chief minister has succeeded in dismissing Surekha with out main backlash, he has solidified his authority over the cupboard and the occasion organisation.
It additionally indicators to dissenting leaders that defying the chief minister brazenly has penalties.
For now, the political message from Hyderabad is obvious: the Konda Surekha case goes past a disciplinary challenge.
Her removing from the cupboard marks a key second within the ongoing energy battle over the longer term route of the Telangana Congress.
