Telangana CM Revanth Reddy drops minister Konda Surekha from Cabinet after daughter’s remarks
Hyderabad (Telangana): Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday decided to drop Forest, Environment and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from the state Cabinet, following a political controversy triggered by remarks made by her daughter against the Chief Minister and other Congress leaders.
Revanth Reddy has recommended Surekha’s removal from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
The move follows a recommendation by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) disciplinary committee, which had called for strong action against Surekha over the controversy.
Dispute over daughter’s remarks
Surekha came under pressure after her daughter, Konda Sushmitha, made remarks targeting Revanth Reddy and Parkal MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy.
The dispute is linked to the Parkal Assembly constituency. During a recent programme there, Revanth Reddy publicly backed Revuri Prakash Reddy, the sitting MLA, and appealed to voters to support him in the next election.
The remarks by Surekha’s daughter subsequently triggered strong reactions from Congress MLAs and other party functionaries.
Surekha was issued a show-cause notice by the party disciplinary committee. In her response, she maintained that her daughter was an independent, married adult and that she could not be held responsible for her daughter’s personal views.
Surekha questioned action against her
Surekha had defended her record as a minister and said there were no corruption allegations against her.
She also questioned why action was being taken against her when ministers and leaders from other social groups faced serious allegations. She demanded that Congress leaders who had spoken against her should also be issued notices.
The minister had maintained that she had done nothing wrong and therefore had no reason to resign.
According to party sources, the Congress high command had asked Surekha to step down and was prepared to recommend her removal if she refused. However, people close to the minister said she had not been asked to resign.
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High-level organisational changes
The Cabinet decision came alongside a series of changes to key statutory bodies and commissions in Telangana.
The appointment of G. Chinna Reddy as Vice Chairman of the Telangana Planning Board has been rescinded, with Gadwal Vijayalakshmi named as his successor.
The Chief Minister also approved the appointment of Nerella Sharada as Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women. While former Rajya Sabha member Sudha Rani has been approved as the new Chairperson of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA).
The developments come after a series of meetings between Telangana Congress leaders and the party’s central leadership in New Delhi.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Surekha and Telangana Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud had separately met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday. Revanth Reddy and Goud also held discussions with AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal.
(With agency inputs)