TPCC panel recommends dropping Konda Surekha, Chinna Reddy from posts

The TPCC Disciplinary Committee has recommended dropping Konda Surekha from the Telangana Cabinet and G Chinna Reddy as State Planning Commission vice-chairman over controversial remarks. The report, submitted to TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, will be sent to the AICC

Hyderabad: The TPCC Disciplinary Committee has recommended dropping Forest Minister Konda Surekha from the State Cabinet and G Chinna Reddy from the post of vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission. These actions are the outcome of controversial statements made by Konda Surekha and Chinna Reddy in recent times.

The Forest Minister’s daughter had charged that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had handed over prime land to his brother’s shell company at a throwaway price. Though the Minister claimed innocence, stating that she could not be questioned for the comments made by her daughter, party MLAs insisted that she could have at least condemned the comments. Similarly, Chinna Reddy had alleged that an MLA ticket was offered to Wanaparthy MLA T Megha Reddy in 2023 after he was lured with money.

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Finding fault with their conduct, the TPCC Disciplinary Committee issued notices to both senior leaders. The committee submitted its report to TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud on Tuesday, even as restlessness continued in the ruling party over the issue. The report will now be sent to the AICC for further examination.

In its report, the disciplinary committee is learnt to have observed that the disciplinary issue involving Konda Surekha was not an isolated incident. It reportedly noted that complaints had been raised against her in the past, particularly over what were described as objectionable comments. The committee also reportedly found fault with Chinna Reddy. It observed that despite being a senior leader who had held several posts in the past, it was not appropriate for him to make offensive and unacceptable comments against the party.

Committee chairman Mallu Ravi said stern action had been recommended in the larger interest of the party and to prevent negative opinion against the Congress. Addressing a press conference, Ravi said the cadre would respect the Congress leadership and the government only when senior leaders maintained discipline.

“Ultimately, the high command takes a decision and I cannot reveal by when it will be done. The media should refrain from speculative reporting,” Ravi said.

He stressed the need to send a strong message to Congress leaders on maintaining discipline. Failure to do so, he said, could affect the party’s prospects in the next elections. The report was prepared after examining the replies submitted by Konda Surekha and Chinna Reddy. “If I reveal the contents of the report, the high command may issue a notice to me as it will be a violation of discipline,” Ravi said.

Responding to criticism that he had met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy before submitting the report, Ravi said it was a formal meeting at the airport to welcome the Chief Minister after his return from the UK.