Telangana chief minister faces internal dissent after removing two Congress leaders

A Revanth Reddy’s authority inside Telangana’s ruling Congress is facing a sharper test after the removal of two leaders and increasingly open criticism of the chief minister. The tension surfaced as the Reddy government completed 1,000 days in office on September 1.

The immediate focus was Konda Surekha, the environment and forests minister. The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee recommended disciplinary action, accusing her of violating party discipline. The All-India Congress Committee approved the action, and Reddy removed her from the cabinet two days later.

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I did not meet Revanth Reddy to give an explanation. If I worked hard to reach this position, they brought it down with a single stroke.

Surekha was held responsible for disparaging remarks by her daughter, Konda Sushmita, about the party and the chief minister. Questioning why she was being punished for statements made by her daughter, Surekha also raised corruption allegations involving Reddy’s brothers that Sushmita had made days earlier.

G Chinna Reddy, a former minister, was also removed from his cabinet-rank position as vice-chairman of the Telangana State Planning Board. He was allegedly ousted after accusing the state Congress leadership of selling tickets in the last assembly elections, particularly in Wanaparthy, a constituency he had previously represented.

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Whether I have a position or not, I have my dignity.

Chinna Reddy said he was not upset about losing the post. “I did not meet Revanth Reddy to give an explanation. If I worked hard to reach this position, they brought it down with a single stroke,” he said. He added, “Whether I have a position or not, I have my dignity,” and said he had not decided what to do next.

The dispute reflects tensions that began after Reddy became chief minister in December 2023, bypassing several senior leaders. Political analyst Srinivasa Rao Manchala said the discontent stemmed partly from Reddy’s relatively recent entry into Congress in 2018, after coming directly from the Telugu Desam Party. He said Reddy’s rise was accepted because he had the backing of the Congress high command.

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The main reason for the discontent is that Revanth Reddy is a newcomer to the Congress, he joined the party in 2018, directly from the Telugu Desam Party and went on to become the PCC chief and then the chief minister. But they could not openly revolt, as he was the choice of the Congress high command.