Congress Panel Submits Report Seeking Action Against Minister Konda Surekha

The Telangana Congress Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday submitted its report to TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud in Hyderabad, recommending strict action against Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha. The committee stressed that no party leader, irrespective of their stature, should be spared if actions cause damage to the party's image.

Several Congress MLAs, MLCs, and MPs have demanded Surekha's removal from the state cabinet. They alleged that she failed to condemn remarks made by her daughter, K Sushmitha, against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy after police arrived at the minister's residence to arrest her Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

Although Surekha did not make direct remarks against the party or the Chief Minister during the latest incident, the committee considered prior complaints against her. Several legislators from the erstwhile Warangal district had previously alleged that the minister did not consult them on constituency development works and committee appointments. The committee also took note of earlier controversies, including past remarks made by Surekha concerning members of the Telugu film industry.

Disciplinary committee chairperson Mallu Ravi and vice-chairperson A Shyam Mohan confirmed that the report concerning Konda Surekha and Planning Board vice-chairperson G Chinna Reddy has been submitted to the TPCC chief. The findings will be forwarded to AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for a final decision.

According to party sources, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) is reviewing multiple options, including asking the minister to resign from the cabinet, dropping her in an upcoming reshuffle, or issuing a strong final warning accompanied by an open apology. The leadership is also evaluating political factors, such as the family's influence across constituencies in Warangal district, caste equations, and potential candidate replacements.

TPCC working president T Jagga Reddy stated that senior political leaders must take responsibility for their children's public conduct. He noted that inappropriate comments cannot be excused and that leaders must maintain discipline regardless of their position in the party.