Konda Murali meets Bhatti Vikramarka amid row over Susmitha’s remarks

Senior Congress leader Konda Murali met Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka amid a row over remarks by his daughter Susmitha against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Murali said the meeting concerned a bill clearance and ruled out leaving the Congress.

Hyderabad: Amid the row over remarks by Konda Surekha’s daughter Konda Susmitha against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, senior Congress leader and Surekha’s husband Konda Murali met Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka at Praja Bhavan here on Wednesday, triggering speculation within the party.

Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy was also present at the meeting. Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy also joined the interaction after arriving at Praja Bhavan. No official details were available on what was discussed.

---

The meeting assumes significance as the TPCC disciplinary committee has submitted its report to TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, recommending action against Minister Konda Surekha over her daughter’s remarks against the Chief Minister.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Bhatti Vikramarka, Murali said he had met the Deputy Chief Minister only over a bill clearance and that no political issue was discussed. However, he said Susmitha had the freedom to express her views and that her remarks had nothing to do with him or Surekha.

“What is our connection with our daughter’s remarks? She has the right to speak independently,” Murali said, adding that he had already conveyed everything necessary to the disciplinary committee.

Murali said he had complete faith in Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and ruled out leaving the Congress. “We will continue 100 per cent in the Congress,” he said.

Susmitha had criticised Revanth Reddy after he backed sitting MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy for the next election during his Parakala visit. She questioned how the Chief Minister could announce the candidate when the party high command decides tickets.

The disciplinary committee subsequently sought an explanation from Surekha, who said she should not be held responsible for her daughter’s remarks. Murali said he would make no further comments until the committee announced its decision.