Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has decided to drop Endowments Minister Konda Surekha from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect, as announced by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). A recommendation for this action has already been sent to the Hon’ble Governor. For Surekha's removal to take effect, Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla must provide his assent.

Context of the Decision

Following the announcement, Konda Surekha released letters addressed to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, and the party’s Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan. In these letters, she claimed discrimination due to her status as a “BC (Backward Classes) woman leader.”

In addition to Surekha's removal, the CM has rescinded the appointment of G Chinna Reddy as vice-chairman of the Telangana Planning Board. Gadwal Vijayalakshmi has been appointed in his place. Vijayalakshmi, who previously served as the Mayor of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, joined the Congress in 2024 after being with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

Allegations by Konda Surekha

In her letter to Gandhi, dated August 23, Konda Surekha alleged that key decisions within the Endowments Department were made without her consultation. She claimed:

  • Exclusion from the Yadadri Temple Trust Board process.
  • Funds from the Sammakka-Saralamma temple were shifted to the Roads and Buildings Department.
  • Her photo was omitted from government advertisements.
  • Her Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Sumanth, was removed without her knowledge.
  • Her family faced political isolation in Warangal, and a show-cause notice was issued regarding statements made by her adult daughter.