Published Sep 03, 2026 | 4:49 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2026 | 4:52 PM
Konda Surekha. (X)
Following her sacking from the Telangana Cabinet on Thursday, 3 September, Congress leader Konda Surekha has released letters she wrote to members of the Congress high command seeking their intervention against her “political and administrative marginalisation” as a “Backward Class woman Minister.”
The letters, dated 22 and 23 August, are addressed to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC In-charge of Telangana Meenakshi Natarajan, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
An edited reproduction of the letter addressed to Kharge follows.
Respected Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji,
I respectfully submit this representation seeking your kind intervention in the serious political and administrative difficulties that I have been facing as a Minister in the Telangana Government, a senior Congress leader, and a five-time elected Member of the Legislative Assembly.
I am Konda Surekha, MLA from the Warangal East Assembly Constituency and presently serving as the Minister for Forest, Environment and Endowments in the Government of Telangana. Over the past 31 years of my political journey, I have had the privilege of serving the people as a five-time MLA and, for the second time, as a Minister, with the continued trust and support of the people.
My husband, Shri Konda Muralidhar Rao, has also served twice as a Member of the Legislative Council and was unanimously elected as an MLC from the Warangal Local Authorities Constituency in 2015. I belong to the Padmashali community, while my husband belongs to the Munnuru Kapu community, both of which have a significant social and political presence across Telangana.
Together, we have consistently placed public service and the interests of the people above personal political considerations and have stood by the people in their times of difficulty. It is through this long public and political journey that the Konda family has earned the trust, affection and goodwill of the people.
We have worked tirelessly for the growth and strengthening of the Congress Party in Telangana and have consistently upheld its ideology and principles.
Even during difficult periods when the party was in opposition, we stood firmly with party workers, raised issues concerning the people and worked for the strengthening of the organisation. Whether in government or in opposition, our commitment to the Congress Party has never wavered.
Following the Assembly elections held in November 2023, when the Congress Party formed the Government in Telangana, I assumed responsibility as Minister for Forest, Environment and Endowments in accordance with the confidence reposed in me by the party leadership. I have discharged my responsibilities with sincerity, transparency and dedication and have continuously worked towards providing better governance to the people.
However, with deep anguish, I wish to bring to your notice that I have increasingly felt politically and administratively marginalised in my capacity as a BC woman Minister under the present leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri A Revanth Reddy Garu.
The decision-making authority and independent role that should ordinarily be exercised by a Minister in charge of important departments have progressively been curtailed. Several decisions concerning my departments are being taken through direct instructions from the Chief Minister’s Office without adequately involving or consulting me. As a result, my role as the Minister is increasingly being reduced to a nominal one.
Despite these circumstances, I have never withdrawn from my responsibilities. I have continued to remain accessible to the people and employees under my departments and have worked to the best of my ability for the progress of the Forest, Environment and Endowments Departments.
Unfortunately, the political and administrative pressure against me and my family has intensified in recent times. I have been deeply distressed by the manner in which I have been held responsible for certain statements made by my daughter, Smt Susmitha Patel, in response to developments concerning my family and the political circumstances surrounding us. The resulting actions and political pressure have caused me considerable mental anguish.
In this context, I respectfully place the following matters before you for your kind consideration:
Curtailment of my authority as a Minister
Although I am the Minister in charge of the Forest, Environment and Endowments Departments, several important decisions are being taken without bringing them to my notice or seeking my involvement. This seriously affects my constitutional and administrative responsibility as the Minister accountable to the people and the Legislature.
Exclusion from important matters relating to the Endowments Department
In important matters concerning the Endowments Department, including the constitution of the Yadadri Temple Trust Board, I was not even provided the basic information in my capacity as the concerned Minister. I am compelled to view this as a deliberate sidelining of my authority and political role.
Similarly, after funds were released by the Endowments Department for the permanent development of the Sammakka-Saralamma Temple & premises, the funds were transferred to the Roads & Buildings Department within a day for execution of the works. This was done without informing or consulting me as the Minister in charge of the department.
During the State Government’s official advertisements issued on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami this year, my photograph was omitted.
As the concerned Minister and an elected public representative, I found this deeply hurtful. It created a strong impression that even the minimum recognition and dignity due to me in my official capacity were being deliberately denied.
Unwarranted action against my former OSD Sumanth
My former OSD Sumanth was removed from his position without even informing me. Subsequently, he was drawn into a controversy, and the police came to the residence where I, as a Minister, reside, with the stated intention of arresting him.
I consider this incident not only an affront to my personal dignity but also a serious disregard for the dignity and status of a serving Minister.
I am further concerned that he is now being implicated in another non-bailable case without what I believe to be adequate supporting evidence, creating serious uncertainty regarding his future.
Discrimination in the development of Warangal East Constituency
I am also facing serious difficulties regarding the development of my constituency, Warangal East.
While funds are reportedly being sanctioned for neighbouring constituencies based on their requirements, several urgent development works in Warangal East are not being accorded the necessary priority.
Important public works, including the Warangal Smart City Model Bus Stand, Bondhi Vagu expansion and other essential development projects, are facing serious delays in the sanction and release of funds. As the elected representative of the constituency, I am unable to adequately respond to the legitimate expectations of my constituents because of these administrative impediments.
Attempts to undermine my ministerial position and political standing involving MLA Shri Kadiyam Srihari
Hon’ble MLA Shri Kadiyam Srihari conducted a review meeting with officials of the Endowments Department without informing me or seeking my involvement as the concerned Minister.
When I raised my objection and brought the matter to the attention of the party leadership, no action was taken against him. Such incidents have caused me serious concern regarding the deliberate undermining of my authority and political standing. Who is directing and coordinating all these actions?
Unequal political treatment and standards
On one occasion, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri A Revanth Reddy Garu stated that the decision regarding whether Shri Jagga Reddy should contest from Sangareddy, another constituency, or contest at all would be taken by party High Command.
At the same time, at a public meeting held in Parkal, the Hon’ble Chief Minister publicly appealed to the people to ensure a massive majority for Shri Revoori Prakash Reddy in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
These contrasting approaches have raised serious questions among party leaders, public representatives and sections of the people as to whether equal political standards are being applied to leaders within the same party. Many BC public representatives, leaders and members of the public perceive these developments as part of a broader pattern of political suppression against BC leadership.
Political pressure against the Konda family in Warangal District
In party affairs in Warangal District, certain leaders and public representatives, allegedly with the encouragement and support of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, have been attempting to politically isolate and marginalise the Konda family.
We have already brought these concerns to the notice of the TPCC leadership.
However, the situation has continued to cause serious concern.
Holding me responsible for statements made by my daughter
A show-cause notice was issued to me holding me responsible for certain recent statements made by my daughter, Smt Susmitha Patel, who was personally distressed by certain remarks made by the Hon’ble Chief Minister.
I respectfully request the party high command to examine whether it is appropriate to hold a Minister responsible merely because she is the mother of an adult individual who has expressed personal views.
I am also deeply concerned by the perception among fellow public representatives, party leaders and members of the public that similar statements made by other leaders against the Hon’ble Chief Minister have not been dealt with in the same manner, and that I am being selectively targeted because I am a BC woman leader.
Political attacks against me and my family
Over the past three days, several public representatives and party leaders have openly criticised me and members of my family, resulting in what appears to be a coordinated political attack.
I genuinely believe that these developments are motivated by specific political considerations. I respectfully request you to discuss these matters with the State party leadership and independently ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding these developments.
Respected Shri Kharge ji,
I am not submitting this representation with any intention of personally criticising anyone or publicly exposing internal matters of the party. I am approaching you because I wish to preserve the relationship I have built over 31 years with the Congress Party and with the people.
As a BC woman leader who has endured numerous political struggles and earned the confidence of the people through sustained public service, I have always worked to the best of my ability for the Congress Party. Rather than continuing to bear these circumstances personally, I believe it is my responsibility to place the facts before the highest leadership of the party and seek justice.
I respectfully request that the party leadership may examine, in consultation with the State leadership, the circumstances surrounding the curtailment of my authority over my departments, the issuance of a show-cause notice to me in connection with statements made by my daughter, the political attacks against my family, the alleged discrimination in the development of my constituency, and the exclusion of the concerned Minister from important departmental decisions.
These developments have caused me considerable mental anguish.
Nevertheless, my faith in the Congress Party and its national leadership remains unwavering.
I therefore request you to kindly treat this representation not merely as a personal grievance, but as the concern of a senior Congress woman leader who has dedicated more than three decades of her political life to the party and public service.
I humbly request that an impartial and comprehensive inquiry be conducted into the matters raised by me. I have approached you today as a woman leader who has devoted many years to the Congress Party and who now seeks justice from the very leadership in which she continues to place her faith.
My confidence in the ideals of the Congress Party, democratic values and the principles of social justice has given me the courage to bring these concerns before you.
I sincerely hope that you will consider my representation with compassion, fairness and impartiality and take appropriate steps to ensure justice.
I am enclosing a pen drive containing the relevant videos and other supporting materials along with this letter for your kind reference and consideration.
With respectful regards,
(Konda Surekha)
Minister for Forest, Environment
& Endowments,
Government of Telangana
