Telangana Congress may drop minister Konda Surekha, Planning Board chief over indiscipline
Synopsis
Telangana's ruling Congress is on the verge of its first disciplinary-driven Cabinet shake-up — with the state unit's Disciplinary Committee recommending the removal of a sitting minister and a Cabinet-rank official. The AICC now holds the final call, and its decision will test how seriously the Congress enforces internal discipline in a state it governs.
Key Takeaways
Telangana Congress Disciplinary Committee has recommended dropping Konda Surekha from the Cabinet and removing G.
Chinna Reddy from the Planning Board .
The report was submitted to state party President Mahesh Kumar Goud on 25 August and forwarded to AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natrajan .
Surekha faces action for failing to condemn her daughter Konda Sushmita's remarks against Chief Minister A.
Revanth Reddy ; the committee noted this was not her first disciplinary lapse.
Chinna Reddy drew censure over remarks made at Gopalpet, Wanaparthy district on 16 August targeting party leadership and a local MLA.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy declined to comment publicly, saying the high command's decision would be final and binding.
Telangana Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Planning Board Vice-Chairman G. Chinna Reddy are facing removal from their posts after the Disciplinary Committee of the state Congress unit recommended strict action against both leaders for conduct deemed damaging to the party and its leadership. The recommendations were submitted to state party President Mahesh Kumar Goud on Tuesday, 25 August, and have since been forwarded to All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Telangana, Meenakshi Natrajan, for a final call.
What the Disciplinary Committee Recommended
The committee, chaired by Mallu Ravi and with Shyam Mohan as Vice-Chairman, has reportedly recommended that Surekha be dropped from the Cabinet and that Chinna Reddy be removed from the Planning Board. Party sources confirmed that the AICC leadership will take the final decision on punitive action. Chinna Reddy holds a Cabinet-rank position by virtue of his role as Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board.
The Charges Against Each Leader
The Disciplinary Panel reportedly observed that Surekha failed to condemn remarks made by her daughter, Konda Sushmita, against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at an event in Parkala, Warangal district. The report noted this was not the first instance of Surekha violating party discipline. In her reply to the show-cause notice, Surekha distanced herself from her daughter's comments, stating they represented Sushmita's personal views and that she should not be held politically responsible. She urged the committee to withdraw the notice.
Chinna Reddy, meanwhile, drew the committee's attention over remarks he made against the party leadership and Wanaparthy MLA T. Megha Reddy during the inauguration of the mandal Congress office at Gopalpet in Wanaparthy district on 16 August. In his response, he argued that his comments merely reflected the grievances of long-standing party leaders and workers, and similarly sought withdrawal of the notice.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's Response
At a press conference on Monday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy declined to comment on the controversy involving Surekha and her daughter, saying he preferred not to air internal party matters before the media. He underscored the importance of discipline within the party, stating that the high command's decision would be final and binding on all leaders.
What Happens Next
The matter now rests with the AICC, whose decision will determine whether Telangana's Congress government sees its first Cabinet reshuffle driven by disciplinary action rather than electoral compulsion. This comes at a sensitive moment for the state unit, which is navigating internal tensions while managing governance responsibilities. The outcome will be closely watched as a signal of how firmly the Congress central leadership intends to enforce party discipline in states it governs.
Point of View
Signalling that the Telangana Congress is willing to act on internal dissent rather than paper it over. But the real question is whether the AICC follows through. Congress has a history of diluting such recommendations when the political cost of removal outweighs the message it sends. Surekha's defence — that she cannot be held responsible for her adult daughter's public remarks — is legally thin but politically convenient. If the AICC accepts it, the Disciplinary Committee's authority is effectively hollowed out. The Telangana unit's credibility in enforcing discipline now hinges on what Meenakshi Natrajan recommends upward.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Telangana minister Konda Surekha facing removal from the Cabinet?
The Telangana Congress Disciplinary Committee has recommended Konda Surekha's removal from the Cabinet for failing to condemn remarks made by her daughter Konda Sushmita against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The committee also noted that this was not the first time Surekha had violated party discipline.
What did G. Chinna Reddy say that triggered disciplinary action?
G. Chinna Reddy made remarks against the party leadership and Wanaparthy MLA T. Megha Reddy during the inauguration of a mandal Congress office at Gopalpet in Wanaparthy district on 16 August. He argued in his reply that the comments reflected the grievances of long-standing party workers, but the committee found them to be damaging to the party.
Who will take the final decision on action against Surekha and Chinna Reddy?
The final decision rests with the AICC leadership. State party President Mahesh Kumar Goud has forwarded the Disciplinary Committee's report to AICC in-charge for Telangana, Meenakshi Natrajan, who will advise the central leadership on the action to be taken.
What was Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's stance on the controversy?
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy declined to comment publicly on the matter at a press conference on Monday, saying he did not wish to discuss internal party issues before the media. He stressed that the high command's decision would be final and that all leaders must abide by it.
What is G. Chinna Reddy's role and rank in the Telangana government?
G. Chinna Reddy serves as Vice-Chairman of the Telangana Planning Board, a position that carries Cabinet rank. He is described as a senior Congress leader in the state.
