Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who has been locked in political battles both within and outside the Congress party, appears to be emerging stronger with each passing day.
Critics who had been circulating claims on social media that his popularity was waning and that the Congress high command was unhappy with his leadership style are now facing disappointment.
The anti-Revanth factions, whether from opposition parties or within his own party, are beginning to realize that he is not an easy target. With each attack, Revanth is managing to counter the narrative and consolidate his position.
Until recently, these detractors argued that Revanth’s ties with the Congress leadership were strained, that Rahul Gandhi was not granting him time, and that his tenure as Chief Minister was on borrowed time.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) camp, in particular, was actively pushing this narrative, claiming that the public was eager to bring former CM and BRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao back to power — even though he appears to have lost touch with the people.
However, Revanth’s recent visit to New Delhi tells a different story.
His presentation on the caste census and backward class (BC) reservations to Members of Parliament and senior Congress leaders signaled that the high command holds him in high regard — much like the stature once accorded to former CM Y S Rajasekhara Reddy two decades ago.
The presentation was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior leaders.
Rahul Gandhi praised Revanth for exceeding expectations, while Kharge and AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal congratulated him personally.
Sonia Gandhi, unable to attend, sent a handwritten note expressing regret: “Sorry Revanth, I couldn’t make it on time.”
This gesture, Revanth later said with joy, felt like receiving an Oscar, a lifetime achievement award, and a Nobel Prize all rolled into one. Priyanka Gandhi was reportedly moved when he shared Sonia's note during a meeting.
The Congress high command is reportedly pleased with how Telangana’s caste census initiative has put Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the defensive — a strategic win attributed to Revanth’s leadership. He is now preparing for the next phase of political battle over BC reservations.
This development has clearly unsettled the BRS camp. Revanth’s assertive push on backward class issues and the visible backing he’s receiving from the party leadership have become a major point of irritation for his rivals.
Whether they can accept it or not, the reality remains: Revanth Reddy is gaining the upper hand — both within his party and beyond.
