Public attack on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy by the daughter of a senior minister in his Cabinet has brought the rebellion brewing in the Telangana Congress to the fore.
Konda Sushmita, who is the daughter of senior minister Konda Surekha and is aspiring for a Congress ticket from Parkal, has thrown an open challenge to the chief minister. Sushmita’s remarks go well beyond a conventional ticket dispute. Reacting to the chief minister’s public backing of the sitting MLA, she asked: “Why wait two years? Ask him to resign right now! Tell him to resign and contest the elections. She then went on to declare: “Whether you, your father, or your grandfather come, I will be the MLA of Parkal. Party went into damage control mode after the stunning and open attacks on the chief minister. The state Congress disciplinary committee has sought an explanation from minister Konda Surekha within three days over her daughter’s remarks against the chief minister. The developments have also brought the Komatireddy factor back into focus. Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy has publicly criticised the Revanth Reddy government, raising allegations of corruption and questioning the role of outsiders and sections of the administration. As Telangana Congress tussle has come out in open, the Congress high command now faces a delicate choice: crack down and risk alienating veterans with strong regional bases, or accommodate dissent and risk weakening the chief minister’s authority.
