Senior Congress leaders voice discontent over Telangana leadership

Signs of dissent are emerging within the Telangana Congress, with senior leaders expressing dissatisfaction over Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s leadership. Former minister T Jeevan Reddy hinted at a possible exit, while others raised concerns over appointments and future leadership

Hyderabad: Signs of growing dissent within the ruling Congress in Telangana have come to the fore, with several senior and original party leaders openly expressing dissatisfaction with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s leadership.

Former Minister T Jeevan Reddy, holding the Chief Minister partly responsible for the alleged injustice meted out to him, said he could no longer endure the humiliation and mental agony while continuing in the party.

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He announced that his future political course would be decided after consultations with his followers and well-wishers at a meeting scheduled at Bandari Garden in Jagtial on Wednesday.

“I invite you to attend the meeting and share your views and suggestions on my future plans,” Jeevan Reddy said in a note circulated on social media.

Despite attempts by a few Cabinet Ministers over the past few days to persuade him to reconsider, Jeevan Reddy appears firm in his decision, signalling a possible exit from the party.

His stand is being seen as part of a broader pattern of dissent among senior Congress leaders. In recent days, several ‘original’ party leaders have begun voicing their discontent more openly, indicating a widening rift with the current State leadership.

TPCC working president T Jagga Reddy added to the speculation with a cryptic social media post on Sunday, which political observers interpret as an indirect warning to the Chief Minister. Posting in Telugu, English, and Hindi on Facebook, he hinted at a major announcement, stating that he would reveal his thoughts by July 30.

The timing of the post has drawn attention, as the tenure of his wife, T Nirmala, as Chairperson of Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC), is set to end on July 11. Political circles speculate that his remarks may be linked to securing an extension for her.

Discontent has also surfaced over recent Rajya Sabha nominations. Several senior leaders, including former MP V Hanumantha Rao and TPCC vice-president Jetti Kusuma Kumar, were reportedly disappointed after their claims were overlooked, with the party leadership nominating Vem Narender Reddy, who is considered close to the Chief Minister.

Notably, like the Chief Minister, Narender Reddy had also joined the Congress from the Telugu Desam Party, a factor that has reportedly added to the unease among long-standing party members.

Further unease has been triggered by the Chief Minister’s assertion that he would continue in office for the next 10 years. After Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy raised objections, Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu also expressed reservations, stating that the Congress high command would decide the Chief Ministerial candidate if the party returns to power.

Taken together, these developments underscore a pattern of dissent, with senior and long-time Congress leaders increasingly making their displeasure public and adopting different modes of resistance against the current leadership.