Epaper
Known for frequent internal dissent, the family of Telangana Endowments Minister Konda Surekha has triggered a fresh political controversy, with her daughter Sushmita Patel making serious allegations against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his supporters.
During celebrations marking her mother’s birthday, Sushmita declared that she would contest the next Assembly elections as an independent candidate from the Parkal constituency if the Congress denied her a ticket.
Sushmita alleged that Revanth Reddy’s style of functioning had changed after he became Chief Minister.
“Is it Ponguleti or Revanth Reddy? It is difficult to understand who is actually the Chief Minister,” she remarked.
She also claimed that her father, Konda Murali, had played a role in helping Revanth Reddy become TPCC president and later Chief Minister. According to her, Revanth had promised an MLC post to her father but later failed to honour that assurance.
“Revanth Reddy should swear before the Maisamma temple in the area that he never promised to make Konda Murali an MLC,” she challenged.
She further alleged that there was now a contest between what she described as the “real Congress” and the “green Congress” within the party.
Sushmita also questioned how the Congress leadership could announce a ticket for Revuri Prakash Reddy.
“If you have the courage, make him resign and face elections now,” she said, challenging the Congress leadership.
Questioning why Revanth Reddy was allegedly entering the Konda family’s political stronghold and confronting them, she made it clear that she would contest from Parkal as an independent if the Congress did not give her the party ticket in the next elections.
Sushmita also levelled serious allegations of corruption against Revanth Reddy and his brothers.
She claimed that she had so far exposed only a Rs 200-crore issue allegedly involving the Chief Minister’s brother and warned that she would reveal more information if Revanth or his supporters responded to her allegations.
She further accused Revanth Reddy and his brothers of “looting the state” and questioned whether Revanth would even remain Chief Minister by the time of the next Assembly elections.
Sushmita’s remarks have reportedly not gone down well with the Telangana Congress leadership. The TPCC has expressed displeasure and decided to seek an explanation from her mother, Konda Surekha, over her daughter’s comments.
The party’s disciplinary committee has also taken serious note of Sushmita’s conduct and is reportedly considering action against her.
Disciplinary Committee chairman Mallu Ravi strongly condemned her remarks, saying they were aimed at damaging the Chief Minister’s reputation.
He warned that disciplinary action would be taken against anyone who crossed the “Lakshman Rekha” laid down by the party.
Mallu Ravi said the party was collecting complete information about Sushmita’s statements and would take appropriate action after examining the matter.
Meanwhile, Telangana Congress affairs in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan has also sought details of the controversy. She has reportedly asked the TPCC president to submit a comprehensive report on the issue.
