AICC to closely monitor Telangana Congress affairs amid complaints against Ministers, MLAs
AICC is set to tighten its oversight of Telangana Congress Ministers and MLAs amid rising internal complaints of interference, corruption, and lack of coordination. A review is expected during AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s visit to Hyderabad on July 4
Hyderabad: With the Congress government in Telangana facing criticism over its failure to deliver on key guarantees, allegations of corruption, and lack of coordination between Ministers and MLAs, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has decided to intensify its monitoring of the party’s functioning in the State.
The move comes in the wake of several internal complaints lodged by party MLAs and senior leaders against a few Ministers, accusing them of arrogance, interference in constituencies beyond their own, and making unreasonable demands while clearing files and bills.
On Saturday, former MLC Konda Murali submitted a complaint to the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Disciplinary Committee against Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who also serves as Warangal in-charge Minister. He is learnt to have alleged that the Minister was targeting Forest Minister Konda Surekha, citing past political differences with the Konda family.
Earlier, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud had objected strongly to the Revenue Minister’s unilateral announcement regarding the schedule for local body elections, a subject typically requiring party consensus.
Tensions within the Cabinet are mounting, with some Ministers expressing discontent over their colleagues allegedly encroaching upon their portfolios. There are also complaints of corruption, with accusations that some Ministers are indulging in group politics and favouritism.
In particular, erstwhile Warangal district MLAs have raised objections to Surekha’s interference in local administrative matters. In light of these developments, the AICC has begun collecting preliminary reports on the conduct of Ministers against whom such allegations have surfaced.
AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan has been actively engaging with leaders from various constituencies to assess the implementation of welfare schemes and the performance of Ministers and MLAs. Several constituency leaders have also raised concerns over the behaviour and conduct of some MLAs, which have been formally conveyed to the AICC in-charge.
Amid these internal fissures, the AICC has resolved to monitor the functioning of both Ministers and MLAs more stringently. Sources at Gandhi Bhavan confirmed that the high command is already keeping a close watch on specific Ministers facing multiple complaints from within the party.
Additionally, some Ministers have reportedly pressured the party to appoint their followers as TPCC vice-presidents and general secretaries, often from select communities. This has triggered unrest among grassroots leaders, especially over turncoats receiving undue prominence despite local opposition.
The situation is expected to come under scrutiny during AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s visit to Hyderabad on July 4. According to party sources, Kharge is likely to address a public meeting and subsequently hold an internal review meeting with Ministers and MLAs.
“Kharge is expected to issue specific instructions to the in-charge based on his interactions with State leaders. Corrective steps will follow as per his observations,” a senior Congress leader at Gandhi Bhavan said.
