Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has reportedly asked Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to remove Konda Surekha from the Cabinet of Ministers, based on the recommendation from the Congress party high command. Ms Surekha currently serves as Endowments, Forests, and Environment Minister.
The controversy stems from remarks by Ms. Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, on August 19 at an event in Geesugonda marking her mother’s birthday. Ms. Sushmitha criticized CM Revanth Reddy over his support for Parkal MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy and alleged favoritism, citing land or deals linked to his family.
This triggered a show-cause notice from the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) disciplinary committee to Ms. Surekha. The panel, after reviewing her reply (in which she distanced herself from her daughter’s comments, noting Sushmitha is an independent adult), recommended Konda Surekha’s removal from the Cabinet and a period of suspension from the party.
Similar recommendations were made against senior leader G. Chinna Reddy (State Planning Board vice-chairman) over separate remarks.
CM Revanth Reddy had earlier travelled to New Delhi and met AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal to discuss the issue. Party sources indicated he urged stringent action to send a clear signal that public indiscipline would not be tolerated, and discussed related issues such as a possible limited Cabinet reshuffle.
TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud and other state leaders also engaged with the high command.
Konda Surekha had also travelled to Delhi, met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, and submitted explanations to senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal. She maintained she could not be held responsible for her daughter’s views, questioned the notice issued to her, and asked why no similar action had been taken regarding certain statements attributed to the Chief Minister (such as remaining in office for a longer term). She said she had not been asked to resign and would not step down voluntarily, challenging the leadership to dismiss her if it chose.
Latest reports indicate the high command was inclined toward asking for her resignation or proceeding with removal, with some accounts referring to an ultimatum for a graceful exit. BC community considerations and her political standing have also featured in internal discussions.
The episode pointed to tensions in the Congress party in Telangana, where it is nearly 1,000 days into the government, with party leaders emphasising the need to maintain discipline while navigating social and electoral equations.