Revanth Reddy drops Konda Surekha from Cabinet after row over daughter’s remarks
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has dropped Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from the state Cabinet with immediate effect and sent a formal recommendation to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla for her removal.
The decision was taken on Thursday, September 3, after the Congress high command cleared Surekha’s dismissal following her refusal to step down on her own, according to reports. The Chief Minister’s Office moved the recommendation after it became clear that she would not resign voluntarily.
The immediate trigger was a public attack by Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmitha, on Revanth Reddy and Parkal MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy. The remarks drew a sharp reaction within the Congress, following which the TPCC disciplinary committee issued Surekha a notice over the episode.
The dispute is linked to the Parkal constituency, where Surekha has considerable political influence. Revanth Reddy recently attended a public event in Parkal and backed Revuri Prakash Reddy for renomination, a move widely seen as a challenge to her influence in the constituency.
Surekha defended her daughter’s right to express her views, saying it was unfair to expect her to answer for someone else’s opinions merely because of their family relationship.
Signs of the growing rift had emerged days earlier, with reports on August 29 suggesting that there was a quiet push within the Congress to ease Surekha out of the Cabinet.
Along with Surekha’s removal, Revanth Reddy also cleared a set of appointments to nominated posts in Telangana.
Gadwal Vijayalakshmi was appointed Vice Chairperson of the Telangana State Planning Board, replacing Dr G Chinna Reddy, whose appointment was rescinded with immediate effect.
Nerella Sharada was appointed Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women, while former Rajya Sabha member G Sudha Rani was named Chairperson of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority.
Surekha returned to the Congress in 2018 after stints with the YSR Congress and BRS. She has represented Warangal East since 2023 and previously served as a minister in undivided Andhra Pradesh under then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Her removal marks the first Cabinet-level exit from the Revanth Reddy government since the Congress came to power in Telangana in December 2023.
Speculation continues over whether Surekha will leave the Congress altogether, though neither she nor the party has confirmed any such move.
