BC leaders question Congress over dissenting MLAs

Hyderabad: The repeated criticism of the Congress government by party MLAs Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and J Anirudh Reddy has exposed internal dissent, with BC wing leaders questioning the party leadership for failing to take action against the legislators.

Forest Minister Konda Surekha was dropped from the Cabinet after her daughter, Konda Sushmitha, accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of involvement in irregularities and corruption. Similarly, the Congress government rescinded the appointment of G Chinna Reddy as Vice-Chairman of the Telangana Planning Board. Both were accused of violating party discipline.

However, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and Jadcherla MLA J Anirudh Reddy have repeatedly criticised their own government. They have alleged widespread corruption, a shortage of funds and inordinate delays in clearing bills. They said these issues were affecting development.

On Sunday, while addressing party workers at Choutuppal, Rajgopal Reddy was reported to have said that people had to pay bribes to get things done in the State, from the level of Panchayat Secretary to Chief Secretary.

Similarly, Anirudh Reddy alleged that funds were being released only to the constituencies represented by Ministers, while MLAs’ constituencies were being neglected. He also threatened to launch a fast unto death to secure funds for his constituency.

TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud admitted that the MLAs’ behaviour was unacceptable. He said the disciplinary committee would deal with the issue.

Amid the repeated allegations by the two MLAs, BC wing leaders in the Telangana Congress are questioning the State leadership over what they see as discriminatory treatment.

A senior BC leader from Gandhi Bhavan said this was not an isolated incident, as both Rajgopal Reddy and Anirudh Reddy had repeatedly criticised the Congress government. However, no action had been taken against them.

“Konda Surekha was dropped from the Cabinet over her daughter’s comments against the Chief Minister. Why is the same yardstick not being followed in the case of these two MLAs? Like the Chief Minister’s image, the party’s image is also important,” the senior leader argued.