Kadiyam Srihari counters Konda Surekha’s complaint, says no protocol was violated

The dispute between Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari intensified after the MLA rejected allegations of violating protocol. Srihari defended his meeting with the Endowments Commissioner, saying he acted within the Business Rules and only raised constituency-related issues

Hyderabad: The rift between Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari has deepened further, with the MLA rejecting allegations that he violated protocol and accusing the Minister of lacking awareness.

Responding to the Minister’s letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Srihari said he had only exercised his right as an elected public representative. “I have not committed any mistake. There is no need for me to offer any explanation,” he said.

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The Minister had written to the Chief Minister after Srihari met the Endowments Commissioner on Monday. She sought a disciplinary committee inquiry and action against the MLA, alleging that he had conducted an unauthorised review meeting.

Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Srihari clarified that he met the Endowments Commissioner only to discuss issues related to five temples in his constituency, including repair works and recruitment.

He maintained that MLAs and MLCs were free to meet Collectors or senior officials and submit representations on public issues. However, he said only Ministers or those holding Cabinet rank were authorised to conduct official review meetings, while MLAs and MPs could only participate in such meetings.

“It would have been a review meeting if officials had come to my office. I went to the Endowments office instead. The Minister has misunderstood the issue due to a lack of awareness,” Srihari said.

Drawing a comparison, he said an MLA cannot object when a Sarpanch or ZPTC member meets a Collector or senior official over local issues by citing jurisdiction. He added that he was fully aware of the Business Rules and had acted within them.