Amid growing factional strife within the ruling Congress party in Telangana, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy took decisive executive action on Thursday by moving to remove Minister Konda Surekha from the state cabinet. A formal recommendation for her dismissal has been submitted to the Governor for official execution. This high-profile action follows an explicit recommendation by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee disciplinary committee, which urged stern measures after controversial public statements were issued by Minister Surekha's daughter. Alongside this cabinet shake-up, the party also removed Chinna Reddy from his post at the Telangana Planning Board, citing parallel breaches of organizational discipline.
Disciplinary Process and High Command Negotiations in Delhi
The intra-party conflict quickly spilled over to the national capital as Chief Minister Revanth Reddy traveled to New Delhi to press his case with top party figures. During his visit, the Chief Minister met All India Congress Committee General Secretary KC Venugopal, emphasizing that maintaining party discipline required firm action against Ministers defying organizational norms. Despite escalating pressure from internal factions, Minister Surekha refused to resign voluntarily, challenging party leaders to take direct action against her. She sought an intervention by meeting Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Wednesday, but was unambiguously informed that disciplinary action would proceed as advised by the state committee.
Origins of the Controversy and Controversial Statements
The political row stems from an event in August when Minister Surekha's daughter, Konda Sushmita Patel, publicly expressed sharp criticisms aimed directly at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and members of his family. As backlash ensued within Congress ranks, Minister Surekha defended herself by stating that her daughter's comments represented personal views for which she should not be held accountable. However, lawmakers loyal to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy rejected her explanation, insisting that allowing such public criticisms to pass without consequence would undermine the authority of the state leadership.
Strategic Damage Control and Regional OBC Appointments
Given Konda Surekha's standing as a prominent Other Backward Classes female leader in Telangana, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy executed swift damage control to offset potential political repercussions. To ensure continued regional and community representation, the Chief Minister appointed three leading OBC women figures from Warangal district to head vital state boards and commissions. Gadwal Vijayalakshmi was assigned the role of Vice Chairperson of the Telangana Planning Board, replacing Chinna Reddy. Simultaneously, Nerella Sharada was named Chairperson of the Telangana State Women's Commission, and former Rajya Sabha MP G. Sudha Rani was appointed to lead the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority.
