Hyderabad: Minister Konda Surekha on Thursday alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had pressured the Congress high command to recommend her removal from the State Cabinet. She claimed the party leadership had initially not intended to remove her.
Speaking to the media at her residence, Surekha reacted to the Chief Minister’s decision to drop her from the Cabinet. She alleged that the government removed her without seeking an explanation.
Surekha strongly objected to the manner in which the decision was taken. She said nobody had informed her about the mistake she had allegedly committed or the reason for the action.
“Even a person sentenced to death is asked about his last wish. I strongly condemn my dismissal without being told what mistake I had committed or why action was being taken against me,” she said.
Surekha says Revanth pressured the Congress high command
Surekha claimed the Congress leadership had no intention of removing her from the Cabinet. However, she alleged that Revanth pressured the Congress high command to act against her. “The Congress high command had no intention of removing me from the Cabinet. I know this 100 per cent,” Surekha said.
She further alleged that the Chief Minister had “blackmailed” the party leadership over the issue. According to her, Revanth asked the leadership whether it would remove her or ask him to resign.
Surekha also alleged that some political leaders had conspired against her and her former Officer on Special Duty, Sumanth. She named Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and MP Vem Narender Reddy in this connection.
She also named the Chief Minister’s brothers, Kondal Reddy and Tirupathi Reddy, while making the allegations. “My OSD Sumanth was removed without my knowledge. They are putting pressure on the police and troubling his family,” she alleged.
Disciplinary action draws criticism from Surekha
Surekha also questioned the role of the Congress Disciplinary Committee and its chairman, Mallu Ravi. She said Ravi had recommended disciplinary action against her despite having criticised the Congress himself in the past.
Moreover, she referred to earlier instances of senior Congress leaders criticising the party leadership. She cited former leaders, including Rosiah and M. Chenna Reddy, while making her argument.
Surekha said she was not upset about losing her Cabinet position because she believed she had committed no mistake. She also said she did not consider her removal an insult. “We are leaders with people’s support and the people will stand by us,” she said.
Meanwhile, Surekha claimed that several ministers and MLAs were unhappy with the Congress government’s performance. She urged them to publicly express their grievances rather than remain silent.
“Ministers and MLAs should put their hands on their hearts and answer. They should come out and speak about their grievances,” she said. She further claimed that a situation had developed where elected representatives could not get their work done.
Surekha rules out seeking reconsideration
Surekha said she would not ask the Congress to reconsider the decision to remove her. Instead, she called for changes in the party’s approach. “I will not ask the party to reconsider my dismissal. Instead, there is a need for the party to change its approach,” she said.
She added that the Congress needed to make several changes if it wanted to win again. Surekha also sought to turn criticism against the Chief Minister. “If one finger is pointed at me, four fingers point towards Revanth Reddy,” she said.
However, Surekha said she had not considered any alternative political plan yet. She made it clear that she intended to continue as an MLA. She also ruled out leaving the Congress. “I have no intention of resigning from the Congress,” Surekha said.