Revanth moves to drop Surekha; Congress keeps the paperwork
The Chief Minister’s Office said Konda Surekha would be dropped from the Telangana cabinet with immediate effect and that a recommendation had been sent to the Governor. Surekha says she will remain in Congress and attend Assembly sessions.
The cabinet recommendation awaits the Governor’s formal order.
Politics | Analysis
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to drop Konda Surekha from the Council of Ministers and sent the recommendation to the Governor. The formal notification was not available in the material reviewed, so “sacked” remains a little ahead of the paperwork.
The Chief Minister’s Office said the decision would take effect immediately. Reports also said G. Chinna Reddy’s appointment as Telangana State Planning Board vice-chairperson was rescinded, with Gadwal Vijayalakshmi named as his replacement. Nerella Sharada was appointed Women’s Commission chairperson and G. Sudha Rani chairperson of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority. Congress has managed to turn an internal dispute into a small administrative reshuffle, because apparently one problem is best accompanied by four appointments.
The action followed a dispute over remarks reportedly made by Surekha’s daughter at a public event. The exact remarks and the disciplinary notice were not available in the research. Surekha said she was not responsible for her adult daughter’s views, objected to the manner of her removal and said: “I will continue in the party. I will attend the assembly sessions as an MLA.”
The Governor’s formal order, and the final allocation of Surekha’s portfolios, have not been published in the material reviewed. Congress has supplied the drama; the Governor still has the last file to sign.