Konda Surekha row: Did some Congress leaders jump the gun?

Congress MLAs who had recently sought disciplinary action against Forest Minister Konda Surekha appeared uneasy when they encountered her at Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s residence, where she tied a rakhi. Some MLAs are learnt to have apologised to her, even as the controversy over her daughter’s allegations against the Chief Minister continues to simmer.

Hyderabad: A week after demanding stern action against Forest Minister Konda Surekha, a few Congress MLAs appeared uncomfortable when they crossed paths with her at Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s residence on Friday. Surekha had visited the Chief Minister’s residence to tie a gold rakhi. Panchayat Raj Minister D Seethakka and a few other senior leaders and MLAs were already present there.

Both Surekha and Seethakka tied the rakhi and performed the customary rituals. As the Forest Minister was leaving the Chief Minister’s residence, a few MLAs met her and extended their Raksha Bandhan wishes. A few MLAs were also learnt to have apologised to Surekha for objecting to her alleged objectionable language and demanding stern action against her.

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Last week, a few MLAs, MLCs and senior leaders had held a press conference at the CLP office and demanded that the party leadership initiate disciplinary action against the Minister. The demand followed allegations by her daughter, Konda Sushmitha, that the Chief Minister had offered prime land to his brother’s shell company at a throwaway price. Though Surekha maintained that she could not be held responsible for her daughter’s comments, the MLAs demanded action against her.

Interestingly, a few MLAs are now believed to have regretted their demands. With senior Ministers and party leaders maintaining strategic silence on the episode, these MLAs reportedly felt that they had jumped the gun by seeking action against the Minister.