Hyderabad: Speculation is swirling in political circles that Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy is growing distant from the Congress after being denied a place in the cabinet. Party sources indicated he felt sidelined despite promises of a ministerial post made when he rejoined the party ahead of the parliamentary elections.
Rajgopal Reddy has reportedly skipped several government functions attended by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other ministers. His absence was particularly noted during the Hyderabad meeting addressed by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on July 4.
Kharge, during his Hyderabad visit, heard representations from ministerial aspirants including Sudarshan Reddy, Premsagar Rao, Balunayak, Rammohan Reddy and Mall Reddy Rangareddy. Even after being advised by some party leaders to meet Kharge, Rajgopal Reddy showed no interest.
Kharge also held discussions with the TPCC political affairs committee and an advisory panel at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday. Rajgopal Reddy stayed away from those deliberations as well. In a public meeting at the LB Stadium involving mandal and village-level Congress leaders, he was absent again. Party workers from Munugode did not turn up in significant numbers, with no mobilisation effort made by Rajgopal Reddy, according to insiders.
Adding to the buzz, Rajgopal Reddy skipped a recent coordination meeting in Nalgonda district, chaired by Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar. Reports suggested he had even stopped his brother, Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, from entering Munugode.
Party leaders believe Rajgopal Reddy is gradually drifting away and could take a decisive call after the completion of the local body elections.