Hyderabad: Telangana politics witnessed a dramatic turn on Thursday as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy removed senior Congress leader Konda Surekha from his Cabinet, ending days of uncertainty over an escalating internal dispute within the ruling party.
The decision came after Revanth Reddy's crucial meetings with the Congress high command in Delhi, where the leadership discussed growing differences within the Telangana unit. The move has now become a major political talking point, raising questions over party discipline, leadership control and the future of internal power equations in the state Congress.
Konda Surekha, who held the Environment and Forests and Endowments portfolios, was removed from the Council of Ministers after a controversy involving remarks made by her daughter Konda Sushmitha against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his political decisions.
The development marks a significant moment for Revanth Reddy, who has been facing pressure from different sections within the party as he tries to strengthen his position after nearly 1,000 days in office.
How The Political Storm Started
The controversy began after Konda Sushmitha made remarks related to the Parkal Assembly constituency in Warangal district. Revanth Reddy had supported sitting MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy for the upcoming election from the constituency.
Sushmitha, who was reportedly interested in contesting from Parkal, questioned the decision-making process and raised objections over how party tickets were being considered.
Her comments triggered reactions within the Congress, with party leaders expressing concern over statements that were seen as challenging the authority of the Chief Minister. The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee disciplinary committee later examined the issue and recommended action.
Konda Surekha defended herself during the controversy, stating that her daughter's remarks were personal and that she should not be held responsible for someone else's political views. However, the issue continued to grow, forcing the party leadership to step in.
Delhi Meetings Changed The Political Equation
The turning point came during Revanth Reddy's three-day visit to New Delhi. The Chief Minister met senior Congress leaders and discussed the growing internal tension in the Telangana unit.
The leadership's discussions focused on maintaining party discipline and handling disagreements among senior leaders. Konda Surekha also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi and questioned the action being considered against her.
She reportedly argued that if the party was taking action over alleged indiscipline, the same standards should apply to everyone. Despite her stand, the Congress leadership backed the decision to remove her from the Cabinet.
Major Changes Beyond Cabinet
The political reshuffle was not limited to Konda Surekha's removal. The Telangana government also announced changes in important administrative positions.
G Chinna Reddy was removed as Vice Chairman of the Telangana Planning Board, and former Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi was appointed to the position.
Nerella Sharada was appointed as the new Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women. Former Rajya Sabha member G Sudha Rani was also appointed as the Chairperson of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority.
The series of decisions indicate a broader effort by the Revanth Reddy government to reorganize key positions and strengthen coordination within the administration.
A Strong Message From Revanth Reddy
The removal of a senior minister sends a strong political message from the Chief Minister's camp. Revanth Reddy has been attempting to establish stronger control over the party organization and government functioning, but internal disagreements have remained a challenge.
Political observers believe the action against Surekha reflects the leadership's intention to prevent public disagreements from affecting the image of the government.
At the same time, the decision could change political equations within Telangana Congress, especially in the Warangal region where Konda Surekha has maintained a strong presence.
Political Future Of Konda Surekha
Konda Surekha has been one of the prominent faces of Congress politics in Telangana. Her removal from the Cabinet is being viewed as a major setback for the veteran leader, who has held important positions during her political career. The development could influence future political alignments and the balance of power within the party.
What Lies Ahead For Telangana Congress?
The immediate challenge for Revanth Reddy will be maintaining unity within the party while focusing on governance and upcoming political challenges.
The Congress leadership will closely watch the situation in Telangana as opposition parties are likely to use the internal dispute to attack the government.
For now, Konda Surekha's exit from the Cabinet has become one of the biggest political developments in Telangana, highlighting the challenges of managing power, loyalty and leadership within a ruling party.