Telangana CM Removes Minister Konda Surekha Amid Disciplinary Actions
Immediate Cabinet Changes in Telangana
File image of Telangana Endowments Minister Konda Surekha(Photo: IANS)
Hyderabad, Sep 3: Telangana's Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has taken the decision to remove Konda Surekha, the Minister for Forest, Environment, and Endowments, from the Council of Ministers effective immediately.
A formal recommendation regarding this decision has been forwarded to the Governor's office, as stated by the Chief Minister's Office.
Additionally, Dr. G. Chinna Reddy has been dismissed from his role as Vice Chairman of the Telangana Planning Board, with Gadwal Vijayalakshmi appointed as his successor.
The Chief Minister has also sanctioned the appointment of Nerella Sharada as the Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women, along with G. Sudha Rani, a former Rajya Sabha member, as the Chairperson of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA).
Official orders regarding the removal of Chinna Reddy and the new appointments have been issued.
The decision to remove Surekha was influenced by the Congress Party's leadership, which took a firm stance on issues of indiscipline.
Chinna Reddy's removal was similarly prompted by concerns over his conduct.
The state Congress's Disciplinary Committee recommended decisive action against both Konda Surekha and Chinna Reddy.
Surekha faced scrutiny after her daughter Sushmitha publicly criticized Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
She defended herself against a show-cause notice, arguing that she should not be held accountable for her daughter's opinions.
This decision was made during a significant meeting involving Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, following several discussions with state leaders over the past few days.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Surekha, and state Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud had individual meetings with party President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Revanth Reddy and Goud also conferred with Venugopal.
Surekha had a discussion with AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natrajan on Wednesday, where she expressed her views to party leaders.
Identifying herself as a member of a backward class, Surekha questioned the fairness of the actions taken against her, pointing out that other ministers from different social groups faced serious allegations without similar repercussions. She asserted her competence as a minister, claiming no corruption allegations against her.