HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has officially recommended the removal of Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from the Council of Ministers. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that a formal communication recommending her exclusion from the cabinet was dispatched to the Governor for immediate assent.
The move brings to a climax a weeks-long disciplinary crisis within the ruling Congress party. The recommendation follows high-level deliberations between Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership in New Delhi, alongside a formal report submitted by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Disciplinary Committee.
The rift erupted in mid-August after Konda Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, made public statements targeting Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. During an event in Geesugonda, Sushmitha launched sharp attacks against the party leadership, accused the Chief Minister’s family of interference, and unilaterally declared her intent to contest from the Parkal Assembly constituency—even as an independent candidate if denied a Congress ticket.
The comments triggered widespread outrage among party legislators and local leaders, with over 20 MLAs and MLCs demanding strict action. Pressure escalated when Minister Konda Surekha refrained from publicly condemning or distancing herself from her daughter’s remarks.
While replying to a notice issued by the TPCC Disciplinary Committee, Surekha maintained that her daughter’s political opinions were personal and argued that holding a minister accountable for a relative’s views violated natural justice. However, party leaders rejected the explanation, stating that a cabinet minister has a duty to defend the head of government and the party line.
Despite Surekha meeting AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi to explain her stance, the party high command signaled zero tolerance for public dissent and open defiance of party discipline.
Along with recommending Surekha’s removal, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy authorized a major administrative reshuffle to realign state boards and statutory commissions. The state government rescinded the appointment of senior leader G. Chinna Reddy as Vice-Chairman following his own disciplinary inquiry regarding comments against party colleagues. Former Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi has been appointed in his place.
Senior Congress leader Nerella Sharada has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women. Former Rajya Sabha MP G. Sudha Rani has been named as the Chairperson of KUDA.
The Governor’s official notification endorsing Konda Surekha’s dropping from the cabinet is expected shortly, marking one of the most significant cabinet re-organizations since the Congress government assumed power in Telangana.
