Revanth Reddy’s secret meetings with MLAs deepen rift in Telangana Congress

If these meetings aim to strengthen the party, district in-charge ministers should be involved and be aware of the proceedings, says a senior leader from Gandhi Bhavan

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s confidential meetings with MLAs from Nagarkurnool and Mahabubnagar have deepened divisions within the Telangana Congress Cabinet, raising concerns among senior leaders excluded from the discussions.

In recent weeks, the Chief Minister held closed-door meetings without involving senior leaders, ministers, or close aides. The secrecy has sparked questions about the intent and timing of these discussions.

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Upon assuming power, the Telangana Congress appointed district in-charge ministers to oversee ‘Praja Palana’ activities, welfare, and development programmes in the State’s erstwhile districts. While the Chief Minister’s meetings with MLAs were welcomed, the lack of transparency raised concerns. Invitations were sent to MLAs just hours before the meetings, leaving MPs, district-in-charge ministers, senior leaders, and TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud uninformed.

“If these meetings aim to strengthen the party, district in-charge ministers should be involved and be aware of the proceedings,” a senior leader from Gandhi Bhavan remarked, questioning why key figures were excluded.

The Chief Minister had promised one-on-one meetings with MLAs to improve their constituency performance. However, senior leaders argue that excluding district-in-charge ministers and party veterans undermines this goal and risks creating apprehensions among the party cadre.

Meanwhile, AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan has been conducting constituency-wise meetings at Gandhi Bhavan, involving senior leaders and ministers. The Chief Minister’s parallel meetings have raised concerns about the message being sent to the AICC and party workers, especially with local body elections approaching.

Some leaders fear that sidelining senior figures could further strain party unity, potentially impacting the Congress’s preparations for upcoming electoral challenges.