Konda Surekha sacked from Cabinet after daughter’s remarks against CM Revanth Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday moved to sack Forest, Environment and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from his Cabinet, bringing weeks of simmering infighting within the ruling Congress into the open. The Chief Minister recommended Surekha’s removal from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect, with the proposal sent to the Governor. The action followed a recommendation by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee’s disciplinary committee over the controversy triggered by remarks made by Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, against Revanth Reddy and his family.

The row erupted last month after Sushmitha publicly attacked the Chief Minister and levelled allegations concerning his family. She had also declared that she intended to contest the next Assembly election from Parkal and could enter the fray as an Independent if denied a Congress ticket.

Disciplinary row escalates

The TPCC disciplinary committee subsequently issued a show-cause notice to Surekha on August 20. The five-term MLA maintained that she could not be held responsible for remarks made independently by her married daughter.

Surekha met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Wednesday to present her side amid speculation over action against her. However, the party leadership eventually cleared her removal from the Cabinet on disciplinary grounds.

Reacting to the decision, Surekha said she had no plans to leave the Congress and accused Revanth Reddy of forcibly removing her from the government.

“I have no intention of switching parties,” she said, while questioning why she had been punished for statements made by her daughter.

Surekha also claimed she had not been given a proper opportunity to explain her position before the action was taken. She alleged that leaders who had previously criticised Revanth Reddy continued to occupy positions in the party and government.

Congress tensions deepen

The episode has exposed growing friction within the Telangana Congress between the Chief Minister’s camp and sections of the party’s senior leadership.

Surekha had written to five senior Congress leaders nearly two weeks ago, raising several grievances against the state government and alleging that she was being politically and administratively sidelined.

The government also rescinded the appointment of senior Congress leader G Chinna Reddy as vice-chairman of the Telangana State Planning Board. His removal followed the TPCC disciplinary committee’s recommendation for action over alleged violations of party discipline.

The developments have provided fresh ammunition to the Opposition, with the BRS and BJP targeting the Congress over its internal divisions and questioning the circumstances surrounding Surekha’s removal.

Surekha, 61, represents Warangal East in the Telangana Assembly and has been a prominent figure in state politics for several decades. Her removal marks one of the most significant changes in Revanth Reddy’s Council of Ministers and comes amid an increasingly public power struggle within the state Congress.