Published Jul 01, 2026 | 5:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 01, 2026 | 5:56 PM
Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. (Wikimedia Commons)
Synopsis: The Telangana government’s decision to constitute the Trust Board of the Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple has triggered controversy within the Congress. According to party sources, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy finalised the appointments without consulting TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, senior Congress leaders or leaders from the erstwhile Nalgonda district, where the temple is located.
The appointment of the new Trust Board for the revered Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Telangana’s Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district has triggered a major political storm within the ruling Congress, exposing deep fissures in the party and drawing the attention of the national leadership.
Senior Congress leaders from Telangana have reportedly lodged formal complaints with the party high command in New Delhi, alleging that the appointments were made unilaterally without consulting the Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), senior party leaders, district leadership or even the state’s Endowments Minister. Sources indicate that the Congress high command is unhappy with the manner in which the appointments were made and has sought a report on the controversy.
The controversy stems from the Telangana government’s decision to constitute the Trust Board of the Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, one of the state’s most prominent and spiritually significant temples. According to party sources, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy finalised the appointments without consulting TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, senior Congress leaders or leaders from the erstwhile Nalgonda district, where the temple is located.
The issue reportedly surfaced even during the Chief Minister’s recent visit to Nalgonda district. Leaders from the erstwhile Nalgonda district are understood to have conveyed their strong objections to the appointments through written representations as well as telephone conversations with TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, AICC General Secretary Meenakshi Natarajan and other senior party functionaries.
Also Read: Andhra Pradesh police arrest political commentators KV Reddy and ‘Prashna’ Raavan
Party insiders claim the Congress high command has taken serious note of the issue. It is learnt that AICC General Secretary Meenakshi Natarajan has sought an explanation and report from the TPCC leadership regarding the controversy.
The internal dissent became public after Munugode MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy openly expressed his dissatisfaction over the appointments, lending further credibility to reports of widespread resentment within the party.
Congress circles fear that the issue could snowball into a larger political crisis if the grievances of party leaders and cadre are not addressed promptly.
One of the biggest controversies surrounds the inclusion of Vinod Venkataswamy in the Trust Board.
Critics within the Congress argue that the Venkataswamy family already enjoys significant political representation, with Minister Vivek Venkataswamy serving in the Telangana Cabinet and another family member serving as a Member of Parliament.
Despite the family’s existing political prominence, they question the decision to accommodate Vinod Venkataswamy, Vivek Venkataswamy’s brother, on the prestigious temple Trust Board, alleging that the appointment reflects political favouritism.
Another contentious appointment is that of Surekha Konidela, wife of noted Telugu film actor Chiranjeevi.
Congress leaders questioning the appointments argue that despite being associated with Andhra Pradesh, she has been given a place on the Trust Board of one of Telangana’s most prominent temples, further fuelling dissatisfaction within the party.
The appointment of Satyanarayana Reddy, reportedly the brother of a former BRS Member of Parliament, as Chairman of the Trust Board has also become a major flashpoint, with critics alleging that the position has been handed over to someone with links to the opposition.
Also Read: Grand claims, grim reality: Nitin Nabin’s Telangana tour exposes BJP’s hogwash
The controversy has deepened amid allegations that even Endowments Minister Konda Surekha was not consulted before the appointments were finalised.
Party leaders claim that neither the Endowments Minister nor several senior Congress leaders were taken into confidence while constituting the Trust Board. This has raised questions within the party over the decision-making process adopted by the government in appointments to one of Telangana’s most important religious institutions.
Several Congress leaders have alleged that the appointments have ignored individuals with spiritual commitment, long-standing Congress supporters, party leaders and grassroots workers. Instead, they claim, priority has been given to representatives of business interests.
According to leaders opposing the appointments, nearly 90 percent of those inducted into the Trust Board have either been opponents of the Congress or individuals perceived to be politically closer to the BRS or BJP.
Some leaders have also alleged that certain appointees have little or no connection with Telangana and hail from the Andhra region, making the appointments even more contentious among sections of the party.
Further criticism has emerged over the alleged inclusion of businessmen who, according to dissenting Congress leaders, do not enjoy a clean public image.
Also Read: Telangana overtakes Bihar to record India’s highest share of women who never attended school
The developments have triggered widespread anger among senior Congress leaders, party workers and supporters, who believe that appointments to institutions of such religious and cultural significance should be made only after extensive consultations within the party.
They argue that temple Trust Boards should comprise individuals with spiritual commitment, integrity and public acceptance rather than persons selected through unilateral political decisions.
The unilateral appointments have further deepened discontent within the Telangana Congress, exposing growing fault lines between the state leadership and the party cadre.
With complaints reaching the Congress high command and senior leaders openly voicing their dissent, the controversy is fast emerging as a major political embarrassment for the Revanth Reddy government.
