Over 20 Congress MLAs Demand Konda Surekha Removal from Cabinet

Over 20 Congress legislators on Friday demanded the dismissal of Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from the Cabinet and her suspension from the party during a press conference at the CLP office in Hyderabad.

The demand follows public allegations made by Surekha's daughter, Konda Sushmita, against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The legislators criticized the minister for failing to condemn the outburst and for merely attempting to distance herself from the remarks.

Speaking at the CLP office, Government Whip Beerla Ilaiah expressed strong disapproval of Surekha's response. He stated that it was unacceptable for someone holding a responsible post to claim she had no connection to her daughter's public statements. Ilaiah noted that any internal grievances should be raised within the Congress Legislature Party or the Pradesh Congress Committee rather than aired publicly against party leadership.

Warangal West legislator Naini Rajender Reddy alleged that Surekha lacked good relations with Congress MLAs in the district and sought strict disciplinary action. He questioned her lack of remorse and suggested the possibility of backing from opposition parties, including the BRS and the BJP. Reddy also challenged Surekha to present evidence supporting claims of a multi-crore scam involving Congress leaders.

Nakrekal MLA Vemula Veeresham stated that criticizing the Chief Minister while remaining within the party was like cutting off the branch one was sitting on. He demanded that the Konda family apologize to the Chief Minister and called for Surekha's immediate removal from both the Cabinet and the party.

Devarakonda MLA Balu Naik condemned the allegations and claimed the Konda family had become involved in opposition conspiracies. Naik asserted that anyone opposing the Chief Minister should not continue in the party and urged the high command to take immediate disciplinary action.

On August 20, Surekha replied to a notice issued by the PCC disciplinary action committee, in which she distanced herself from her daughter's statements and requested the committee to withdraw the notice.