6 hrs ago
Telangana CM Sacks Forest Minister as Surekha Alleges Blackmail Politics
Konda Surekha was removed from Telangana’s ministerial team on Thursday.
She had been the state’s forest minister.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recommended that she be removed, and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla approved it.
The decision came after critical comments by Surekha’s daughter about the chief minister and other party leaders.
Surekha said she had done nothing wrong.
She accused the chief minister of using pressure tactics to get her removed.
She also said nobody explained the reasons or gave her a chance to respond.
A Congress disciplinary leader said party rules applied to everyone and that Surekha had met senior leaders.
Surekha said she would continue working as an MLA.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recommended Konda Surekha’s immediate removal from the Council of Ministers.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla approved the recommendation, according to a Lok Bhavan communique.
Surekha denied wrongdoing and accused Reddy of using “blackmail politics” to secure her dismissal.
She said she was not given reasons or an opportunity to explain herself before being removed.
The action followed controversy over critical remarks by Surekha’s daughter against Reddy and other Congress leaders.
- Who
- Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Forest Minister Konda Surekha, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Congress leaders.
- What
- Surekha was removed from the Council of Ministers and accused Reddy of using “blackmail politics.”
- Where
- Telangana; Reddy later visited the Governor at Lok Bhavan.
- When
- Thursday, September 3; the removal took effect immediately.
- Why
- The removal followed a dispute over critical remarks by Surekha’s daughter about Reddy and other party leaders, although Surekha attributed it to political pressure and alleged vindictiveness.
Surekha’s Allegations
Congress Response
Reason for removal
Surekha’s Allegations
Surekha said the party high command did not want her removed and alleged that Reddy threatened to resign unless she was dismissed.
Congress Response
The removal followed controversy over her daughter’s comments and earlier recommendations for tough disciplinary action, according to the report.
Opportunity to respond
Surekha’s Allegations
Surekha said she was removed without being told the reasons or given a chance to explain her position.
Congress Response
State Congress disciplinary committee chairman Mallu Ravi rejected that claim, saying Surekha had met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and state Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud.
Responsibility for the remarks
Surekha’s Allegations
Surekha defended her daughter, Sushmita, saying she spoke independently and that Surekha should not be punished for her comments.
Congress Response
Some Congress MLAs reportedly argued that Surekha should have condemned her daughter’s remarks because she was a member of Reddy’s Cabinet.
Key facts
- Removed official
- Konda Surekha
- Former position
- Telangana forest minister
- Removal authority
- Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla approved the chief minister’s recommendation
- Effective date
- Immediate removal on Thursday, September 3
- Surekha’s allegation
- She accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of “blackmail politics”
- Related action
- G Chinna Reddy was removed as Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board
- Surekha’s next step
- She said she would continue as an MLA
Quotes
Konda Surekha
Dismissed Telangana Forest Minister and Congress MLA
“The minister’s post is only like an ornament for us. Earlier, I had quit on my own. I don’t feel bad today that I lost cabinet post. But, I am not able to digest that I was removed without being informed and without giving reasons. The responsibility is on AICC and also CM to answer that,””
theprint.in
“High Command has no intention to remove me. I know that 100 per cent. But, the chief minister indulged in blackmail politics saying he would go if I am not removed.””
theprint.in
m.rediff.com
Sources
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