1 week ago
Telangana Congress Dissent Widens as Parakala Ticket Fight Intensifies
There is a growing disagreement inside the Congress party in Telangana.
Konda Susmitha wants to contest the Parakala Assembly seat.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has supported the current MLA, Revoori Prakash Reddy, for the next election.
Susmitha says the chief minister is ignoring people who supported him earlier.
She also says he gives too much importance to leaders who came from the Telugu Desam Party.
Susmitha criticised Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy as well.
She said she might contest as an independent if Congress does not give her the ticket.
Revoori said he would respond to her at the appropriate time.
Congress leaders said her comments could harm the chief minister’s reputation and that the party would examine them.
Similar disagreements have also been reported in other Telangana districts.
Konda Susmitha attacked Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy over their political conduct.
The dispute intensified after Revanth Reddy backed sitting Parakala MLA Revoori Prakash Reddy for re-election.
Susmitha said she would contest from Parakala, even as an independent if Congress denied her a ticket.
She accused the chief minister of sidelining longtime supporters, favouring former Telugu Desam Party leaders and discriminating against backward-class leaders.
Congress disciplinary committee chairman Mallu Ravi said the party would seek Susmitha’s explanation and consider action after reviewing the matter.
- Who
- Konda Susmitha, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Parakala MLA Revoori Prakash Reddy and Telangana Congress leaders.
- What
- An intra-party dispute over the Parakala Assembly ticket has expanded into a broader conflict over influence, loyalty and party governance.
- Where
- The main dispute concerns Parakala in Hanumakonda district and followed remarks made at Geesugonda; related disagreements were reported across Telangana.
- When
- The latest remarks and counterstatements were made on Wednesday, ahead of the next Assembly election.
- Why
- Revanth Reddy publicly backed Revoori Prakash Reddy, while Susmitha and her family support her own prospective candidacy from Parakala.
Konda Susmitha’s Position
Chief Minister’s Camp and Party Response
Parakala candidacy
Konda Susmitha’s Position
Susmitha said she intends to become the MLA from Parakala and would contest as an independent if Congress denied her the ticket.
Chief Minister’s Camp and Party Response
Revanth Reddy publicly backed sitting MLA Revoori Prakash Reddy for re-election with a large majority.
Political loyalty
Konda Susmitha’s Position
Susmitha alleged that Revanth Reddy had forgotten those who supported his rise in Congress and was favouring leaders who had come from the Telugu Desam Party.
Chief Minister’s Camp and Party Response
The reports describe Revoori Prakash Reddy as close to the chief minister, while no direct response from Revanth Reddy to these allegations was reported.
Ticket authority and representation
Konda Susmitha’s Position
Susmitha questioned how a candidate could be endorsed nearly two years before the election and said ticket decisions should rest with the Congress high command. She also alleged discrimination against backward-class leaders.
Chief Minister’s Camp and Party Response
The party’s disciplinary committee said her remarks were objectionable and appeared to damage the chief minister’s reputation; Congress indicated that it would seek an explanation and consider action.
Response to the criticism
Konda Susmitha’s Position
Susmitha said she would not back down and warned that those currently in power might not remain there in the future.
Chief Minister’s Camp and Party Response
Revoori called her remarks premature and said he would give her a fitting reply at the appropriate time. Anita Jakkani also questioned Susmitha’s authority to speak about party tickets.
Key facts
- Main flashpoint
- The Congress ticket for Parakala in the next Assembly election.
- Konda camp’s position
- Konda Muralidhar Rao has announced that his daughter, Konda Susmitha, will contest from Parakala.
- Chief minister’s preference
- Revanth Reddy appealed for sitting MLA Revoori Prakash Reddy to win re-election with a large majority.
- Susmitha’s allegations
- She accused Revanth Reddy of sidelining longtime supporters, favouring former Telugu Desam Party leaders and discriminating against backward-class leaders.
- Additional criticism
- Susmitha questioned Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s prominence in government programmes and objected to his photograph appearing alongside the chief minister’s at an Indiramma housing programme.
- Unverified allegation reported
- Susmitha alleged that Rs 200 crore was handed to a shell company allegedly floated by the chief minister’s brother; the articles present this as her claim.
- Possible party action
- Mallu Ravi said Congress would seek an explanation from Susmitha and consider appropriate action after examining the matter.
- Wider dissent
- Factional disputes or dissent were reported in Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar, Warangal, Wanaparthy and Adilabad.
Quotes
Konda Susmitha
Daughter of Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and political activist
“CM Revanth Reddy handed over Rs 200 crore to a shell company allegedly floated by his brother. How could the CM come to my constituency and campaign for Revuri while the CM and his brother were busy looting the state? I am not the type to fear death. The CM’s behaviour was inappropriate, and he should consider whether he will even remain in power next time. The party has split into factions - ‘Accha Congress’ (original Congress) and ‘Paccha Congress’ (yellow/TDP-aligned Congress). Even if Revuri”
thehansindia.com
“After becoming chief minister, he has forgotten those who helped him”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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