Konda Surekha Alleges Conspiracy, Seeks Disciplinary Action; MLAs Rally Behind CM

HYDERABAD: Endowments Minister Konda Surekha has written to the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) disciplinary committee, urging it to identify the persons behind what she described as "humiliating and derogatory" remarks against her and her family, and to take stringent disciplinary action. In a letter to committee chairman Mallu Ravi on Saturday, she alleged the attacks continued even after she submitted her explanation to a show-cause notice. As reported by Deccan Chronicle, she suspected "hidden forces" behind the remarks and requested an impartial inquiry to identify the "real persons" operating behind the scenes.

Surekha also asked the committee to examine whether attempts were being made to influence its independent decision-making process while the inquiry was underway. She noted that public criticism of her, pronouncements on her political future, and demands for action made before the media could amount to attempts to influence the disciplinary proceedings, according to the same report.

"I have complete respect for party discipline. At the same time, it is a matter of concern that the party leadership is maintaining silence when a senior BC woman leader like me is being subjected to severe verbal attacks," she said. Surekha added that the party leadership should examine the intentions behind those passing judgments on her political future before the media.

The New Indian Express separately reported that Surekha alleged "invisible forces" within the Congress were provoking MLAs and other party leaders to speak against her. In her letter, she stated: "I have already given a reply to the notice issued by the disciplinary committee. I have made it clear that I have respect for party discipline and asked for withdrawal of the notice. Despite my reply to the committee, some party leaders, in a coordinated manner, targeted me and my family. It is clear that some invisible hand is there behind them." She expressed apprehension that someone was provoking leaders while disciplinary proceedings were underway, and questioned the silence of the party high command.

MLAs Close Ranks Behind Chief Minister

Meanwhile, a group of MLAs and government whips rallied behind Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday, calling for disciplinary action against party leaders whose public remarks, they said, were undermining the government. At a press conference at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) office in Hyderabad, Whips Vijaya Ramana Rao, Aadi Srinivas, Ramachandra Naik, and Ramagundam MLA Raj Thakur made clear that criticism of the chief minister from within the party would not be taken lightly, as reported by The New Indian Express.

Vijaya Ramana Rao said Congress workers and Revanth had spent nearly a decade fighting what he described as the "dictatorial and authoritarian rule" of the previous BRS government, and that the chief minister was working nearly 18 hours a day.

The immediate provocation was remarks made by Konda Sushmita Patel, Surekha's daughter, against Revanth and his brothers. Vijaya Ramana Rao said Surekha had not adequately responded to or condemned her daughter's comments and demanded an unconditional apology from both. "Apologising is the minimum courtesy expected from them," he said.

Ramachandra Naik defended Revanth's recent remarks at Parkal about MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy, saying they were intended to motivate party workers, while questioning Sushmita's political credentials. He also suggested that Surekha consider resigning on moral grounds.

Aadi Srinivas said the 66-member Congress legislature party had collectively chosen Revanth Reddy as its leader, and that criticism of the chief minister from senior leaders, including G Chinna Reddy, Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, and Surekha, would not be tolerated. He also questioned remarks made by Chinna Reddy against Wanaparthy MLA Tudi Megha Reddy, noting that Chinna Reddy participates in Cabinet meetings.

Raj Thakur said Surekha's conduct was sending a wrong message and weakening the party and government, according to The New Indian Express report.

Disciplinary Committee: No Decision Yet

Disciplinary Committee chairman Mallu Ravi said on Saturday that no decision had been taken yet on Konda Surekha's case, but expressed the view that, as a minister, she should at least have condemned her daughter's remarks against the chief minister, as reported by The New Indian Express.

Ravi emphasized that the committee was not rushing into a decision, saying all complaints, evidence, and explanations would be examined. "We will follow the principles of natural justice," he said after a committee meeting at Gandhi Bhavan.

The committee examined Surekha's written explanation as well as videos of Sushmita Patel's remarks, which Ravi described as inappropriate and said treated the chief minister "like an ordinary individual." Several MLAs have indicated they would submit complaints, which would be considered before the committee decides. Surekha, Ravi said, had maintained that she had nothing to do with her daughter's remarks.

The same approach is being applied to Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, against whom no complaint has been received yet, though the committee is examining whether to take up the matter suo motu.

The panel has also looked at the press conference held by the group of MLAs at the CLP office, where action was sought against Surekha, Rajgopal, and Planning Board Vice-Chairman G Chinna Reddy. Video footage of Chinna Reddy's remarks was examined, and MLA T Megha Reddy has lodged a complaint against him. The committee has examined Chinna Reddy's explanation, and Megha Reddy will be called again, according to Ravi.

Chinna Reddy Seeks Withdrawal of Notice

Planning Board Vice-Chairman G Chinna Reddy, who was issued a disciplinary notice over alleged remarks against party leadership and MLA T Megha Reddy, categorically denied speaking against the Congress high command and sought withdrawal of the notice, as reported by The New Indian Express.

In his explanation submitted to committee chairman Mallu Ravi, Chinna Reddy said he joined the Congress when Indira Gandhi formed the Indira Congress in 1978, and recalled his association with the party since then. He said he regarded the AICC office at Indira Bhavan and the TPCC office at Gandhi Bhavan as "sacred institutions" and had the highest respect for leaders including Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge.

"There is no question of my speaking against such leaders, and such a situation would never arise," he asserted.

Chinna Reddy said his comments were aimed at highlighting the difficulties faced by "original Congress" leaders and workers over the past two years and eight months, and alleged that several leaders and workers who had carried the Congress flag for nearly 40 years had faced discrimination due to the "one-sided approach" of the MLA. He requested the committee to consider his explanation, close the matter, and withdraw the notice.