AICC raises concerns as Congress faces internal strife, public discontent in Telangana

Internal rifts, caste-based divisions, and slow implementation of key promises have weakened the Congress’s position in Telangana. AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has reportedly voiced concern over the party’s trajectory, especially after the Supreme Court dismissed its plea on BC reservations.

Hyderabad: Clashes among Cabinet Ministers, growing divisions among MLAs along caste and community lines, and increasing public discontent appear to have dampened the Congress high command’s confidence in its Telangana unit.

Citing the prevailing situation, the AICC reportedly holds a different view from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s repeated assertions that the Congress will return to power in the next term. The growing internal discord even before the Congress government completes two years has left the party leadership concerned.

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According to party sources, AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge is said to have expressed his concern over the developments while interacting with a few Ministers and MLAs from Telangana who met him at his residence in Bengaluru last week.

Fulfilling the six guarantees promised to the people appears to have taken a backseat, with other pressing issues occupying the government’s focus. Except for the free bus travel scheme for women, which itself has drawn criticism from various quarters, the government has made little progress in implementing the remaining assurances.

While the government has sought to justify its performance by highlighting the financial crisis and empty coffers, questions are being raised over its competence. Farmers, unemployed youth, retired employees, and others continue to stage protests across the State, pressing for their demands.

Whenever the situation seems to stabilise, the government finds itself embroiled in fresh controversies, ranging from corruption allegations and caste-based differences within the Cabinet to infighting among Ministers over contracts, and even reports of surveillance on Ministers’ phone conversations and movements.

Taking note of such developments, Kharge reportedly questioned whether the Congress would be able to retain power in Telangana in the next elections.

The Congress has been boasting of passing Bills in the Telangana Assembly to extend 42 per cent reservations to BCs in the State. However, the government’s commitment to the issue has come under scrutiny after the Supreme Court dismissed its Special Leave Petition seeking to uphold the extended quota.

The setback has not only affected the party’s standing in Telangana but also impacted the AICC’s broader strategy to win BC support in the upcoming Bihar elections.