Konda Surekha episode deepens crisis in Congress over BC discrimination

The Konda Surekha controversy has reignited caste tensions within the Telangana Congress, with Backward Class leaders alleging systemic bias and unequal disciplinary action. The episode, compounded by recent protests and public dissent, has exposed what many perceive as Reddy dominance in party affairs.

Hyderabad: The Konda Surekha episode has once again exposed the simmering caste fault lines within the Congress in Telangana, particularly the growing resentment among Backward Class (BC) leaders. The controversy, coming just ahead of the Jubilee Hills bypoll and local body elections, has turned into a major embarrassment for the ruling party.

What Minister Konda Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmita, said openly is now being discussed discreetly within party circles. Several leaders cite repeated instances of discrimination against BCs and the double standards adopted in taking disciplinary action for anti-party or anti-government activities.

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Senior Reddy leaders have criticised both the party and the government on various issues, yet none have faced disciplinary action. In contrast, BC leaders who expressed dissent were swiftly targeted.

In March this year, MLC Teenmaar Mallanna was suspended for opposing the Congress government’s caste survey. He had publicly burnt a copy of the survey, calling it fake and a ploy by upper-caste leaders to suppress BCs. Following his act, the Reddy Jagruthi Samithi staged a protest at Gandhi Bhavan demanding action against him, and the party complied.

Similarly, the Surekha episode has further highlighted what many see as Reddy dominance within both the party and the government. “It is all Reddy supremacy in the party and in the government. BCs are being suppressed and it is very humiliating,” Sushmita had said bluntly, citing instances when her mother was ‘snubbed’ by the Chief Minister, including during a Delhi visit.

She pointed out that her mother had objected to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s involvement in Medaram Jathara tenders. Yet, no explanation was sought from him. Instead, a section of the media carried planted reports hinting at Surekha’s possible removal from the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy has frequently attacked the Congress government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over issues like the delay in Rythu Bharosa implementation, urea shortage and fund crunch for MLAs. Yet, the party, including TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, has remained silent, with Goud only saying that the high command would ‘take care’ of the matter.

In March, Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy, a BRS defector, made derogatory remarks about the party and even questioned why he should display the Chief Minister’s photograph in his office. A two-member committee was formed to probe the issue, but no action followed.

Likewise, in July, Jadcherla MLA Anirudh Reddy alleged that ‘Chandrababu Naidu’s coverts’ were active within the Congress and had a public spat with Ponguleti over files. Along with Narayankhed MLA Patlolla Sanjeeva Reddy, he also questioned the alleged bias in fund allocation favouring Kodangal. Though AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan and the TPCC president discussed the issue, the party’s disciplinary committee has taken no action so far.