Konda Surekha Sacked From Telangana Cabinet Over Daughter’s Remarks Against Revanth Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has recommended the removal of Forest Minister Konda Surekha from the state Cabinet, intensifying an internal Congress dispute that has been brewing for weeks.

The recommendation for her removal from the Council of Ministers has been sent to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. The development came on Thursday, the same day letters written by Surekha to five senior Congress leaders on August 23 surfaced.

In the letters, Surekha had raised several grievances against the Telangana government, alleging that she was being politically and administratively sidelined. She claimed that important decisions concerning the Forest, Environment and Endowments departments were being taken through the Chief Minister’s Office without consulting her.

Surekha, reacting to her removal, accused Revanth Reddy of forcibly dropping her from the Cabinet but ruled out leaving the Congress. “I am not going anywhere. I am staying in Congress only. I will continue as MLA,” she said, adding that she would continue to perform her duties as an MLA.

She also questioned why leaders who had criticised or allegedly abused the Chief Minister continued to hold positions while action was being taken against her.

SUREKHA’S LETTERS TO CONGRESS HIGH COMMAND

Surekha’s letters were addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. She alleged that her authority as a minister had been systematically curtailed and that her role had been reduced to a “nominal” one.

Among the issues she highlighted was the constitution of the Yadadri Temple Trust Board, claiming she was not informed despite being the Endowments Minister. She also alleged that funds released for the development of the Sammakka-Saralamma Temple were transferred to the Roads and Buildings Department without her knowledge.

Surekha further complained that her photograph was excluded from the state government’s official Sri Rama Navami advertisements.

She also raised concerns over the removal of her former OSD Sumanth and alleged that funds for development projects in her Warangal East constituency were being held up.

DAUGHTER’S REMARKS TRIGGERED FRESH ROW

The immediate political controversy escalated after Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, publicly criticised Revanth Reddy over his support for Congress MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy. Revanth Reddy had recently campaigned in Parkal and appealed to voters to re-elect Prakash Reddy with a larger majority.

Sushmitha questioned the Chief Minister’s decision to campaign for Prakash Reddy in what she called “Konda territory”. She has also expressed interest in contesting the Parkal Assembly seat in the next election. She went on to make allegations against Revanth Reddy and his brothers and questioned their political actions in the state.

Her remarks triggered anger within the Telangana Congress, with several MLAs seeking action against Surekha.

SUREKHA DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAUGHTER’S COMMENTS

The Telangana Congress disciplinary committee subsequently sought an explanation from Surekha over her daughter’s remarks and gave her three days to respond. Surekha rejected the notice, arguing that her daughter was an independent adult and that she should not be held responsible for another person’s political statements.

She also maintained that it was inappropriate to demand political accountability from a parent for the views expressed by an adult child.

Surekha had earlier met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Telangana affairs in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, where she defended her performance as a minister and said there were no corruption allegations against her.

CHANGES IN TELANGANA BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Alongside the move against Surekha, the Telangana government approved changes in the leadership of several statutory bodies. G Chinna Reddy’s appointment as Vice Chairman of the Telangana Planning Board was withdrawn, with Gadwal Vijayalakshmi named as the new Vice Chairman.

The government also approved Nerella Sharada as Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women.

Former Rajya Sabha member Sudha Rani was appointed Chairperson of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority.

The recommendation to remove Surekha from the Cabinet now awaits formal action by the Governor. The controversy, which was initially sparked by her daughter’s remarks, has since widened into a larger political confrontation over Surekha’s grievances with the Telangana government and the Congress leadership.