Telangana’s ruling Congress has been facing fresh internal tensions in the Warangal region, particularly over the Parkal Assembly constituency. Endowments Minister Konda Surekha has now said that she will speak publicly about the developments and “clear the air” after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy returns from his foreign trip.
What triggered the controversy?
The latest dispute began after Revanth Reddy visited Parkal in Warangal district on August 16 to launch development works. During a public meeting, the Chief Minister said that sitting Congress MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy would contest from Parkal again in the next Assembly election and appealed to voters to support him.
The statement upset the camp of Konda Surekha and her husband, former MLC Konda Murali, who have been promoting their daughter Konda Sushmitha Patel as a potential Congress candidate from Parkal. Their supporters questioned how a candidate could be publicly projected before the party’s high command had formally taken a decision.
Sushmitha Patel attacks Revanth Reddy
The disagreement escalated when Konda Sushmitha Patel publicly criticised Revanth Reddy during a gathering held in Geesugonda on August 19, coinciding with her mother Surekha’s birthday celebrations.
Sushmitha indicated that she intended to contest the Parkal seat and challenged the political camp supporting Revuri Prakash Reddy. She also criticised Revanth Reddy over his comments about remaining Chief Minister for ten years and questioned his political record.
Sushmitha also made allegations concerning the Chief Minister and people close to him. These allegations were political claims made during her speech and have not been established as facts.
Congress takes disciplinary action
Sushmitha’s comments attracted the attention of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee. The party’s disciplinary committee, headed by Nagarkurnool MP Mallu Ravi, sought an explanation from Konda Surekha over her daughter’s remarks.
Surekha was reportedly given three days to respond to the notice. The party’s action came amid broader concerns about public criticism of the Chief Minister and other Congress leaders.
The Congress disciplinary panel also took action in another matter involving former minister and Telangana State Planning Board vice-chairman G. Chinna Reddy, who was asked to explain alleged anti-party comments
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