HYDERABAD: The recent remarks by Endowments Minister Konda Surekha’s daughter Konda Sushmita Patel and Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy may have hastened the long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, with the Congress leadership now weighing not just who could be inducted but also what political message any changes would send.
The two episodes have brought Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s handling of dissent back into focus. Several legislators have rallied behind the chief minister, openly objecting to the remarks and seeking action against Surekha and her daughter. For the party’s state leadership, the latest controversy comes after a series of episodes involving the minister’s family, including allegations surrounding her former OSD N Sumanth and a cement factory owner. That controversy had gradually faded, but the latest remarks have reopened an issue the party had hoped was behind it.
This time, however, the matter appears to have travelled beyond Hyderabad. Congress sources said the high command has taken note of the developments and sought details from Telangana AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan. A meeting between Revanth, TPCC president B Mahesh Goud and other senior leaders is expected after the chief minister returns to Hyderabad on Sunday. As they say in politics, one controversy rarely travels alone.
The question is whether Surekha will remain in the Cabinet. If she is dropped, the discussion has already moved to the next question: who replaces her and how the social equation is maintained? A BC representative, particularly from the Munnuru Kapu community, is among the possibilities being discussed. There is also a case for another woman in the Cabinet.
Apart from Surekha and Dansari Anasuya (Seethakka), Congress has women legislators such as N Padmavathi Uttam Reddy, Ch Parnika Reddy, M Yashaswini Reddy and Matta Ragamayee.
Sources said Ragamai could emerge as a possibility, particularly if the party decides to balance caste and gender representation. Another option being discussed is the induction of a Munnuru Kapu MLA such as Aadi Srinivas alongside her.
But even if Surekha is retained, the party will have to decide what action to take and what signal to send to its cadre. Her response to the TPCC committee, in which she did not condemn her daughter’s remarks, has added to the discussion.
CM plans portfolio rejig
Behind the immediate controversy lies a larger exercise. With two Cabinet positions vacant, the reshuffle has long been expected, and Congress leaders see it as an opportunity to prepare the government’s political team for the 2028 Assembly election. Sources said Revanth is also considering changes in portfolios and the possibility of moving some senior ministers to organisational responsibilities.
The high command is expected to take the final call. Senior leaders believe Revanth could discuss the reshuffle with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders, with a meeting in Delhi likely next week. What began as another controversy within the state unit may, therefore, end up settling a much wider Cabinet question.
