A controversy surrounding remarks made by Telangana Forest Minister Konda Surekha’s daughter against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and other leaders has escalated, with ruling Congress MLAs demanding an apology from the minister. The remarks have sparked a heated debate within the party, with several Congress MLAs and MLCs urging party leadership to take tough action against Surekha’s daughter. Congress MLA Vijaya Ramana Rao emphasized that both Surekha and her daughter must apologize to the Chief Minister, stating that the minister cannot distance herself from her daughter’s comments.
In response, Surekha has written to the disciplinary committee of the state Congress, alleging that several Congress leaders and public representatives are making insulting comments against her. Surekha has requested the committee to take tough action against those behind the criticism against her, expressing concern that the party leadership has remained silent in the face of a collective verbal attack on her as a senior BC woman leader. The Telangana Congress’ disciplinary committee had issued a notice to Surekha on August 19, directing her to submit a reply within three days over the comments made against CM Reddy by her daughter Sushmita.
In her reply on August 20, Surekha stated that it is not proper to seek her explanation on the personal comments made by her daughter, and that holding her responsible for her daughter’s comments is against the principles of natural justice. She reiterated her respect for the Congress leadership and the party’s discipline, requesting the disciplinary committee to acknowledge that she had no involvement in what her daughter spoke. The minister has also sought withdrawal of the notice issued to her by the disciplinary committee.
Congress MLA Vemula Veeresam stated that if Surekha is not connected to her daughter’s remarks, she should have condemned them, emphasizing that she has a responsibility to do so as a minister working with the CM.
