Congress MLAs Demand Konda Surekha Apology To Revanth Reddy

The controversy within the Telangana Congress over remarks allegedly made by Sushmitha, daughter of Forest Minister Konda Surekha, against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and other Congress leaders has intensified, with several ruling party MLAs demanding an apology from the minister.

Congress MLA Vijaya Ramana Rao said Surekha could not completely distance herself from the controversy surrounding her daughter’s comments. He demanded that both Konda Surekha and Sushmitha apologise to Revanth Reddy over the remarks.

Another Congress MLA, Vemula Veeresham, questioned the minister’s stand that she was not responsible for her daughter’s statements. He asked why Surekha had not condemned the remarks if she had no role in making them. Veeresham also questioned whether a minister working with the Chief Minister did not have a responsibility to reject such comments.

Meanwhile, Surekha has written to the Telangana Congress Disciplinary Committee, alleging that several party leaders and public representatives had made derogatory comments against her. She sought strict action against those allegedly responsible for what she described as a coordinated campaign of criticism. The minister also expressed concern over the party leadership’s silence, saying the attacks were particularly worrying given her position as a senior BC woman leader.

The dispute began after the disciplinary committee issued a show-cause notice to Surekha on August 19, seeking an explanation over her daughter’s remarks. She submitted her response on August 20, arguing that she could not be held accountable for comments made personally by her daughter.

In her explanation, Surekha said making her responsible for another person’s statements was against the principles of natural justice. She reiterated her respect for the Congress leadership and party discipline and asked the committee to consider that she had no involvement in the remarks. She also requested that the notice be withdrawn.

However, the MLAs remain dissatisfied with her response and insist that Surekha should have condemned the remarks and apologised to the Chief Minister. The disagreement has added to internal tensions within the ruling Congress and could further complicate relations between the minister’s camp and the Chief Minister’s supporters.