Congress Infighting Erupts In Jagtial Ahead Of Municipal Polls
While stating that support for government policies was welcome, Jeevan Reddy cautioned that any attempt to suppress original Congress workers would have serious consequences: Reports
KARIMNAGAR: Internal differences within the Jagtial Congress escalated on Sunday after senior party leader and former MLC T. Jeevan Reddy launched a sharp attack on sitting MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar, warning him against interfering in internal party affairs.
Addressing a media conference in Jagtial, Jeevan Reddy said the Congress was witnessing a widening rift between long-time loyalists and recent entrants. He expressed strong resentment over attempts by “outsiders” to dominate the party’s internal structure, asserting that the Congress was not a commodity to be bought or sold. He said workers who had stood by the party during difficult times would not accept interference from those unfamiliar with Congress ideology.
The tension stems from Sanjay Kumar’s defection from the BRS to the Congress in June 2024. Jeevan Reddy said senior leaders and committed workers were being sidelined following the defection, triggering discontent within the party ranks.
The dispute has intensified ahead of the municipal elections. Jeevan Reddy dismissed the MLA’s claims of distributing tickets, stating that such decisions rest solely with the party high command. He challenged Sanjay Kumar to an open debate on Jagtial’s development and announced that his target was to win at least 50 seats in the Jagtial municipality.
While stating that support for government policies was welcome, Jeevan Reddy cautioned that any attempt to suppress original Congress workers would have serious consequences. He also warned against testing the self-respect of long-standing party cadres.
Political observers said that unless the state leadership intervenes and resolves the dispute, the infighting could adversely affect the Congress’s prospects in the forthcoming municipal polls. Original party workers fear losing influence to the MLA’s supporters, resulting in a visible struggle for dominance within the district unit.
