Telangana Political Row: CM Revanth Reddy Seeks Konda Surekha’s Removal from Cabinet

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has recommended the removal of Minister Konda Surekha from the state Cabinet, escalating an ongoing political dispute within the ruling Congress. A communication seeking her dismissal has been sent to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, setting the process for her exit from the Council of Ministers in motion.

The development marks a significant turn in the tensions surrounding Surekha and the Telangana Congress leadership. The minister had been facing pressure from the party leadership following a series of disagreements and controversial statements linked to her family.

Recommendation Sent to Governor

According to reports, Revanth Reddy has taken the decision to drop Surekha from his ministry and forwarded the recommendation to the Governor. The move follows a period of growing friction between Surekha and sections of the state Congress leadership.

The Governor's role is important in the formal process because ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. Surekha's removal therefore requires the constitutional process to be completed after the Chief Minister's recommendation.

Surekha had reportedly resisted calls to resign from her ministerial position. Earlier reports indicated that the Congress high command had sought her resignation, with the possibility of dismissal being considered if she declined.

Dispute Intensifies After Daughter’s Remarks

The immediate political controversy gained momentum after Konda Surekha's daughter, Konda Sushmita Patel, made remarks critical of Revanth Reddy and his leadership.

The dispute was also connected to the Parkal Assembly constituency. Revanth Reddy had publicly backed incumbent Congress MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy for the constituency, following which Sushmita Patel reportedly asserted her own interest in contesting from Parkal in the next election. Her comments subsequently triggered criticism within Congress circles.

The episode placed Surekha in a difficult position even though the remarks were made by her daughter. Party leaders treated the developments as part of a wider disciplinary and leadership issue, adding to tensions already present within the state unit.

Surekha Had Raised Concerns With Congress Leadership

The latest development comes against the backdrop of concerns that Surekha had herself communicated to senior Congress leaders.

Letters reportedly written by Surekha to several senior members of the party's national leadership had surfaced on Thursday. The representations were addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

In those communications, Surekha reportedly raised concerns about her role in the government and alleged that decisions relating to her portfolios were increasingly being handled without adequate consultation with her. She also presented her concerns in the context of her position as a Backward Classes woman leader.

The emergence of those letters has added another dimension to the dispute, indicating that tensions had already reached the party's national leadership before the latest Cabinet action.

A Major Political Setback for Surekha

Surekha has been a prominent political figure from the Warangal region and represents the Warangal East Assembly constituency. She entered the Revanth Reddy government after Congress returned to power in Telangana in 2023.

She held the Environment and Forests and Endowments portfolios in the state Cabinet. Her removal would consequently create a vacancy in the ministerial team and could lead to changes in the allocation of these departments.

The action also comes at a politically sensitive time for the Telangana Congress. Internal disagreements among leaders can potentially affect the party's ability to maintain a united political front, particularly when individual leaders publicly challenge decisions taken by the state leadership.

Broader Cabinet and Party Changes

Surekha's proposed removal is not the only leadership change reported in Telangana on Thursday. The government has also cancelled G. Chinna Reddy's appointment as Vice-Chairman of the Telangana Planning Board and made changes involving other nominated positions.

These developments suggest that the Chief Minister is undertaking a broader exercise involving political and administrative positions.

For now, attention is focused on the Governor's response to the recommendation and on Surekha's next political move. She is also expected to address the issue publicly, making her response an important indicator of how the dispute could evolve.

The episode has exposed fresh strains within Telangana's ruling Congress and could have implications for the relationship between the state leadership, individual ministers and the party's national command.