Published Sep 03, 2026 | 10:01 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2026 | 10:35 AM
Konda Surekha and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy
Synopsis: Telangana Minister Konda Surekha’s criticism of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has triggered tensions within the state Congress. The dispute, initially linked to remarks made by her daughter Konda Sushmitha, has reached the party high command, which is expected to decide on possible disciplinary action against the senior minister.
The controversy involving Telangana Forest and Environment Minister Konda Surekha has moved to the Congress high command, with the dispute over remarks made by her daughter, Konda Sushmitha, turning into a larger issue involving party discipline and differences within the state leadership.
The Telangana Pradesh Congress disciplinary committee had sought an explanation from Surekha in connection with Sushmitha’s remarks directed at Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and other senior leaders. The committee subsequently forwarded its findings to the party’s central leadership for a decision.
Surekha has challenged the action, maintaining that she cannot be held responsible for statements made by her adult daughter. She has argued that Sushmitha is an independent individual and that there was no basis for treating her daughter’s political statements as her own.
The controversy erupted after Sushmitha questioned Revanth Reddy’s decision to back sitting MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy from Parkal for the next elections. Sushmitha had an interest in contesting the seat on a Congress ticket.
“Who is Revanth to decide my ticket?” she asked. She also challenged the party, saying she would contest as an Independent if she is denied a Congress ticket.
The issue came into sharper focus after Reddy held meetings with senior Congress leaders in Delhi. The CM is understood to have raised the issue and sought action over Surekha’s conduct, which he believes is affecting the functioning and public image of the Congress government.
Surekha also travelled to Delhi and met senior leaders of the party to clarify her stance. Speaking to the media after the meetings, she made it clear that she will not accept any disciplinary action against her.
“Why should I be punished for what my daughter said?” Surekha asked. She said her daughter was an adult, married, and capable of expressing her own views, and questioned why responsibility for those statements should be placed on her.
She also questioned what she described as differential treatment within the party. If she was being proceeded against for the remarks of her daughter, she asked why similar scrutiny should not be applied to the chief minister and other leaders over their political statements and decisions.
Surekha also questioned the announcement of Revoor Prakash Reddy as the Congress candidate from Parakala. She questioned the manner in which a candidate was being projected while the formal electoral process and party decision-making mechanisms were yet to take place.
Also Read: Revanth Reddy’s nephew claims “Forbes 30 under 30” in bio but he isn’t on the list
At Indira Bhavan, Surekha raised a number of allegations concerning the chief minister and his family. She also referred to issues involving other leaders. She demanded that these matters too be examined if the party was proceeding against her. The allegations formed part of her political argument against the proposed action and have not been independently established.
The Congress leadership is now required to decide whether Surekha’s conduct warrants disciplinary action and, separately, whether her continuation in the Cabinet should be reconsidered. The two issues are politically connected but involve different decisions within the party and the government.
The possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle has added to speculation over Surekha’s position. There has been discussion within political circles that she could be asked to step down or be dropped from the Cabinet. Surekha, however, has indicated that she has no intention of voluntarily resigning.
For the Congress leadership, the immediate challenge is to resolve the dispute without allowing it to widen into an open confrontation between different groups in the Telangana unit. Surekha is a senior leader of the party with an established political base.
Until the high command takes a final decision, the dispute remains an open internal issue for the Telangana Congress, with both the minister and the chief minister having placed their positions before the party leadership.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
Also Read: ‘Criminal waste’: BRS ‘chargesheet’ slams Revanth Reddy government for betraying people
Also Read: Honeymoon over for Revanth Reddy’s government as focus shifts from promises to delivery
