'Remarks row': Konda Surekha dropped from Cabinet

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday decided to drop Forest, Environment, and Endowment Minister Konda Surekha from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, a recommendation to this effect has already been sent to the Governor.

The Chief Minister has also decided to rescind the appointment of Dr G. Chinna Reddy as Vice Chairman, Telangana Planning Board, with immediate effect. In his place, Gadwal Vijayalakshmi has been appointed to the post.

The Chief Minister has also approved the appointment of Nerella Sharada as Chairperson, Telangana State Commission for Women. He also approved the appointment of former Rajya Sabha member G. Sudha Rani as Chairperson, Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA).

Government Orders relating to rescinding of Chinna Reddy as Vice-Chairman of Telangana Planning Board and the new appointments have been issued.

The Chief Minister decided to drop Surekha from the Cabinet after the Congress Party high command cracked the whip over indiscipline.

Chinna Reddy has also been removed as Vice Chairman of the Planning Board over indiscipline.

The Disciplinary Committee of state Congress recommended strong action against both Konda Surekha and Chinna Reddy.

Surekha had been in the eye of a storm following her daughter Sushmitha’s outbursts against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

She had also found fault with the show-cause notice issued to her, saying she can’t be held responsible for the personal views of her daughter.

The high command took the decision at the crucial meeting Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal had with top leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Thursday following a series of meetings with the state leadership over the last three days.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Surekha, and state Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud had separate meetings with party President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday.

Revanth Reddy and Goud also had meetings with Venugopal.

Surekha had also met AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natrajan on Wednesday. Later, the minister told media persons that she conveyed to party leaders whatever she wanted to convey.

Asserting that she belongs to a backward class, Surekha had remarked that there can’t be one justice for her and another for others. She said that Cabinet ministers from other social groups have serious allegations against them. “What action will be taken against them," she asked.

She claimed that her performance as a minister is good and that there are no allegations of corruption against her.