Congress Factionalism in Thungathurthy Worries Party Leadership
The remarks drew sharp protests from party workers, though the situation was later brought under control by the Bhongir MP.
Nalgonda: The growing factionalism within the Congress in Thungathurthy Assembly constituency has become a major headache for the party and is reportedly affecting its image. Local Congress leaders appear to have split into camps led by Thungathurthy MLA Mandula Samuel, Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and the Komatireddy brothers.
A few months ago, Samuel, in the presence of Kiran Kumar Reddy, reportedly issued an ultimatum to party workers, asking them to approach the MP for any work only after informing him. The remarks drew sharp protests from party workers, though the situation was later brought under control by the Bhongir MP.
The posts of Congress mandal presidents in Shaligowraram and Jajireddygudem have reportedly become highly sought after due to the presence of major sand reaches in the two mandals. Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy succeeded in appointing his supporter, Chintha Danunjaya, as the Congress mandal president of Shaligowraram, a move that was reportedly opposed by Samuel.
Samuel, however, managed to secure the appointment of his supporter, Gudipati Madhukar Reddy, as the Congress mandal president of Jajireddygudem. The appointment triggered strong opposition from supporters of the late Ramreddy Damodar Reddy. The rivalry allegedly escalated into physical clashes between supporters of Samuel and the late leader's family.
Congress leaders Marapaka Sathyam, Narsiga Srinivas and Anreddy Rajender Reddy, who were also aspiring for the post, staged a dharna along with their supporters at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad. Tensions escalated further after Samuel's remarks against the Komatireddy brothers. Supporters of the Thungathurthy MLA and the Komatireddy brothers reportedly clashed at Tirumalagiri on Sunday night.
According to party sources, supporters of the Thungathurthy MLA allegedly attacked Youth Congress leaders Kanduru Ambedkar and Parripati Yugender after they addressed a press conference condemning Samuel's remarks against the Komatireddy brothers. Both leaders sustained injuries in the incident.
The injured Youth Congress leaders later submitted a complaint to Suryapet Superintendent of Police K. Narsimha, alleging that the attack was pre-planned and politically motivated.
The recurring clashes between rival Congress groups have raised concerns over the law-and-order situation in the constituency and highlighted the need for the party leadership to intervene and resolve the internal differences before they escalate further.