‘20 per cent commission government’ tag triggers major cracks in Congress

The option of relieving Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy of their key portfolios reportedly being weighed upon by party high command

Hyderabad: The Congress party in Telangana is facing increasing internal rumblings with the ‘20 per cent commission government’ moniker sparking widespread discussions within party circles.

Many are already questioning why the party as a whole was paying a high price for the actions of a few perpetrators.

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The allegations are primarily being targeted at Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka as well as Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. Even as party strategists are worried over the predicament, with the Opposition also mounting a scathing attack, senior Congress leaders opposed to these two Ministers are leading a growing chorus for damage control measures.

The Secretariat episode, where over 200 contractors staged a protest before Bhatti Vikramarka’s chambers, had drawn significant attention of the party high command. The dealings of Ponguleti are also being monitored closely by the high command, party sources reveal, adding that the silence of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over the role of some of his Cabinet colleagues, despite the issues involving them snowballing into major controversies, was also being questioned.

AICC general secretary KC Venugopal also has reportedly made enquiries about the Secretariat incident. The option of relieving these two Ministers of their key portfolios, if not sidelining them entirely, is being weighed upon by the high command, which is said to be considering a reshuffle of the Cabinet to address the issue and show the two key Ministers their place. The situation has become a significant concern for the Congress leadership, as it is tarnishing the party’s image and impacting its electoral prospects.

Congress leaders themselves are wondering whether a most powerful leader was silently pulling the rug underneath these two Ministers, who are believed to have become powerful centres within the party.

The controversy has drawn the ire of party members and the public alike, with many launching a subtle campaign reaching out to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge seeking immediate steps to address the allegations and restore the party’s credibility. The Congress leadership is under pressure to take decisive steps to resolve the issue and prevent further damage.

Ever since the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids on the premises of Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, he has been under the radar of the Congress leadership. The ED raids were part of an ongoing investigation into a money laundering case. The ED’s actions targeted multiple locations, including the Minister’s residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, his farmhouse at Himayat Sagar, and properties linked to his family members and business associates.

The investigation stems from allegations of financial irregularities and misappropriations tied to the Minister’s assets and business dealings. The ED’s probe was based on a complaint from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) against the Minister’s son, Harsha Reddy, who was accused of purchasing luxury watches worth Rs.7 crore through hawala and cryptocurrency channels.

Compared to Revanth Reddy, who is trying to emerge as a heavyweight within party corridors, each Minister is busy cultivating their individual clout, ready to put forward the first step to be the next alternative to him. Srinivas Reddy has his own group of MLAs and supporters in the government. Some of the corporations were filled by his men, and he had his people as office staff reportedly monitoring the operations of the corporations.

The close aides and relatives of the two Ministers too have emerged as powerful figures in the Secretariat corridors and government departments. Revanth Reddy, party sources admit, has virtually lost all control in their departments, with no reviews being conducted as such.

An elite group working in an advisory role for the party has also sounded a caution to the party high command on the issue, warning that such controversies threatening the reputation of the party, could turn suicidal for the party and its government.