Congress Ministers flag coordination issues, complain of interference in portfolios at AICC review meeting

Several Telangana ministers raised concerns over lack of coordination and interference in their portfolios during an AICC review meeting in New Delhi. The leadership also discussed corruption issues, irrigation disputes and internal dissent, while some leaders stayed back for further talks

Hyderabad: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting with the State Cabinet in New Delhi provided an opportunity for some ministers to raise concerns over lack of coordination within the Cabinet and complain about interference by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in their portfolios.

The two-hour review meeting on the Congress government’s two-year performance, held at AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Thursday, saw some Cabinet ministers expressing their displeasure before the AICC leadership. The leadership also held individual meetings with certain ministers and sought their views on various issues. Some ministers conveyed their concerns over interference in their portfolios and instructions being issued without their consent. A few of them also informed the party high command that prominence was being given to Telugu Desam Party leaders and their close aides in the allocation of contracts and related matters.

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Following the recent political developments between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over river water sharing and irrigation projects, the issue was discussed during the meeting. According to party sources, the AICC leadership was briefed about certain developments, including instructions allegedly issued by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu being implemented with regard to some issues.

In the wake of recent corruption charges and controversies involving some ministers, the AICC leadership took up the issue during the review meeting. It may be recalled that a political controversy had erupted in the State over irregularities in the Singareni Collieries Company Limited tenders.

The aspirations of several leaders expecting Cabinet berths were not addressed, as the issue did not come up for discussion. However, the frequent critical statements made by Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy were discussed, and the AICC leadership would soon summon him for a meeting, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud told the media after the meeting.

CM and Deputy CM stay back

After the meeting, most ministers returned to Hyderabad, while Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, among others, stayed back in New Delhi. Sources said Bhatti Vikramarka was likely to meet the AICC chief and Rahul Gandhi again on Friday, triggering speculation within party circles.