Konda Camp Fires Salvo at Revanth Over Parakala

Warangal: A simmering political fault line within the Telangana Congress came into the open on Wednesday, with Konda Susmitha, daughter of Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, launching a sharp attack on Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

He accused the CM of sidelining those who stood by him during his rise within the Congress and favouring leaders who had migrated with him from the Telugu Desam Party.

Speaking at a gathering organised by her supporters at Geesugonda on the occasion of her mother Konda Surekha’s birthday, Susmitha alleged that Revanth Reddy had “lost sight of those who helped him” after becoming chief minister and was giving undue importance to leaders from his TDP days.

She claimed that her mother had gone to Delhi and persuaded the Congress high command to appoint Revanth Reddy as TPCC president. “After becoming chief minister, he has forgotten those who helped him,” she alleged, while questioning his alleged preference for leaders who had crossed over from the TDP.

Her remarks have assumed significance against the backdrop of the emerging contest for the Congress ticket in Parakala.

Revanth Reddy, during his recent public meeting in Parakala, openly appealed to the people to bless sitting MLA Revoori Prakash Reddy and ensure his victory with a huge majority in the next assembly election.

The appeal has reportedly upset the Konda camp, particularly since Konda Muralidhar Rao has already announced that his daughter Susmitha would contest from Parakala in the next election. Susmitha too indicated that she intends to begin her political journey from the constituency.

Taking a dig at Revoori, Susmitha questioned the CM’s decision to seek his re-election and asked how the party’s ticket decisions could be left to one individual. She also alleged discrimination against BC leaders and questioned the prominence being given to leaders who had joined the Congress from other parties.

Susmitha claimed that when Revanth Reddy became TPCC president, he had visited their residence, thanked her parents and promised an MLC seat to Konda Muralidhar Rao. The allegations have triggered wider speculation within Congress circles over the political equation between the Konda family and the CM’s camp.

The controversy, however, may extend beyond the Parakala ticket. Susmitha’s remarks have brought into focus the larger tussle between the old Congress establishment and leaders who entered the party from other political backgrounds. While the Konda family has a strong political network in the erstwhile Warangal region, Revoori is considered close to the chief minister.

Political observers say the Parakala episode could therefore become a test of competing political influence within the Congress ahead of the next Assembly election. The immediate issue may be the ticket, but the underlying contest appears to be over political space and influence.

Interestingly, Konda Muralidhar Rao has maintained that he has no differences with Revanth Reddy, even as his daughter’s latest remarks have put the relationship under fresh scrutiny.

The Congress leadership has taken note of the controversy. Party disciplinary committee chairman Mallu Ravi said Susmitha’s comments were objectionable and appeared to undermine the image of the CM. He said a report would be obtained and examined before deciding on further action.

The episode has thus opened another potentially sensitive front for the ruling Congress, with the Parakala ticket race now threatening to spill into a broader intra-party battle.