Telangana CM Revanth Reddy sacks Minister Konda Surekha from Cabinet

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has removed Endowments and Forests Minister Konda Surekha from his cabinet, a decision formalized on September 3, 2026, following internal party tensions and allegations of disciplinary breaches. The move, confirmed by multiple outlets, comes amid controversy over remarks made by Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, which reportedly challenged the chief minister’s leadership and party strategy.

The removal was recommended to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, with the state government submitting the necessary paperwork for formal approval. Sources within the chief minister’s office indicated that the Congress party’s central leadership had pressured Reddy to act, citing repeated criticism of the government by Surekha. A letter from the party’s All India Congress Committee (AICC) reportedly urged her dismissal, framing the action as a necessary measure to uphold discipline.

Surekha, a prominent Backward Classes (BC) leader, contested the decision, arguing she could not be held accountable for her daughter’s statements. “Why should I be punished for what my daughter said?” she asked during a press briefing in Delhi, where she met with senior party leaders to defend her position. She also questioned the party’s double standards, suggesting that similar scrutiny should apply to the chief minister and other leaders for their public remarks.

The controversy centered on Sushmitha Patel’s comments in August 2026, which reportedly criticized the party’s electoral strategy in the Parkal constituency. During a public event in the area, Revanth Reddy had endorsed sitting MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy, a move that Sushmitha Patel reportedly opposed. The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) disciplinary committee investigated the matter, leading to a notice for Surekha. She maintained that her daughter’s remarks were personal opinions and not reflective of her own views.

The sacking coincided with broader administrative changes. G. Chinna Reddy, the state planning board’s vice-chairman, was also removed from his post, reportedly for similar disciplinary reasons. His role was assumed by Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, a former GHMC mayor, while other appointments included Nerella Sharada as chairperson of the State Commission for Women and G. Sudha Rani as head of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority. These reshuffles, according to analysts, aim to address internal party fractures and reinforce the Congress’s commitment to representing BC communities, a demographic Surekha herself belonged to.

The decision has sparked debate over the party’s internal dynamics. Some observers noted that the timing of the sacking—just days after Surekha tied a rakhi to Revanth Reddy on Raksha Bandhan—highlighted the volatility of political alliances. Others pointed to the potential impact on the Parkal constituency, where the Konda family holds significant influence. The removal could also affect the state’s governance, as Surekha’s resignation left two existing cabinet vacancies, which the party plans to fill with members from marginalized communities.

Surekha’s defiance of the party’s demands has drawn attention to tensions within the Congress. While the central leadership framed the action as a response to “indiscipline,” her supporters argued it reflected a broader pattern of targeting dissenting voices. The episode underscores the challenges facing Revanth Reddy’s government, which has faced criticism for its handling of policy implementation and internal cohesion. As the governor’s office prepares to formalize the sacking, the political fallout is expected to shape the state’s legislative agenda and electoral strategies in the coming months.