⚡ Key Highlights & Quick Takeaways
- The Congress high command is understood to be leaning towards disciplinary action against Forests and Environment Minister Konda Surekha and State Planning Board Vice-Chairman G.
- Chinna Reddy over remarks perceived as critical of the party leadership.The issue resurfaced days after Ms.
- Surekha’s daughter launched a sharp attack on party leaders and dragged Chief Minister A.
The Congress high command is understood to be leaning towards disciplinary action against Forests and Environment Minister Konda Surekha and State Planning Board Vice-Chairman G. Chinna Reddy over remarks perceived as critical of the party leadership.
The issue resurfaced days after Ms. Surekha’s daughter launched a sharp attack on party leaders and dragged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy into the controversy. Following a report submitted by the State unit on the alleged acts of omission and commission, the AICC leadership is learnt to have reviewed the matter once again.
On Wednesday, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal held separate discussions with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud and AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan to seek their views. The deliberations were based on the findings of the PCC’s Disciplinary Action Committee and the subsequent report forwarded to the central leadership.
A senior Congress functionary said the State leadership had conveyed its views to the high command. “The party leadership is not happy with the developments and has taken a serious view of the apparent indiscipline,” the leader said.
According to sources, the central leadership appears inclined to initiate action against Ms. Surekha and Mr. Chinna Reddy over what it considers unwarranted public outbursts.
The controversy took a fresh turn with Ms. Surekha, who is currently in New Delhi, reportedly meeting Mr. Kharge and submitting a representation against a section of Congress leaders in Telangana. She is said to have alleged a concerted effort to target her and questioned how she could be held responsible for remarks made by her daughter at a meeting in Parkal.
At the same time, the party is said to be weighing the political implications of any stringent action. Ms. Surekha belongs to the BC community and is one of only two women ministers in the State Cabinet. Party leaders are understood to be concerned that disciplinary action could trigger discontent among sections of the BC community. However, those favouring immediate action argue that any delay could further embarrass both the party and the government.
Party leaders are also believed to have taken exception to Mr. Chinna Reddy’s remarks against Wanaparthy MLA Megha Reddy and sections of the Congress leadership. The report submitted by the State unit is learnt to have recommended action to send a clear message that indiscipline will not be tolerated.
How the Congress leadership balances disciplinary concerns with the possible political fallout remains to be seen.