Hyderabad, Sep 3 (PTI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday sacked Forest Minister Konda Surekha from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect, amid a row over the remarks made against him and others by the woman leader’s daughter.
Surekha, on her part, claimed she did nothing wrong and accused the CM of doing “blackmail politics.” Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla approved the CM’s recommendation to this effect, a Lok Bhavan press communique said.
“On the advice of the Chief Minister of Telangana, the Governor of Telangana has dropped Konda Surekha, Minister from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect,” it said.
Reddy made a recommendation to the Governor earlier in the day for the removal of Surekha and later visited him at the Lok Bhavan.
Surekha has been in the eye of a storm following the critical remarks made by her daughter against the chief minister and other party leaders, drawing sharp responses from the ruling party MLAs and functionaries.
Besides sacking Surekha, the chief minister also rescinded the appointment of G Chinna Reddy as Vice Chairman of State Planning Board with immediate effect.
The developments came following confabulations held by the CM, his deputy Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and state Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud with AICC leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal, in Delhi during the last few days.
The disciplinary committee of the Congress’ state unit had earlier recommended to the party leadership to take tough action against Surekha and Chinna Reddy.
Surekha,who responded angrily to her sacking, accused CM Revanth Reddy of resorting to “blackmail politics” to secure her removal though the party high command was not in favour of it.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the CMO announced the decision to sack her, Surekha said she committed no wrongdoing and claimed that she was not given an opportunity to explain her position before sacking her.
She termed as “painful” her removal from the council of ministers without citing any reasons. “Even a death convict is given the opportunity to express his last wish before being hanged,” she said.
“High Command has no intention to remove me. I know that 100 per cent. But, the chief minister indulged in blackmail politics saying he would go if I am not removed,” she claimed.
On her future course of action, Surekha said she will continue as an MLA.
According to her, state Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, MP Vem Narender Reddy and CM’s brothers (only mentioning their names) were behind the “conspiracy” against her and her OSD (who faces allegations in a matter). There was no immediate response from the concerned persons.
Asserting that she and her husband, who belong to BC castes, had risen in politics through hard work, she expressed confidence that people would continue to support them.
“The minister’s post is only like an ornament for us. Earlier, I had quit on my own. I don’t feel bad today that I lost cabinet post. But, I am not able to digest that I was removed without being informed and without giving reasons. The responsibility is on AICC and also CM to answer that,” Surekha said.
Defending her daughter Sushmita whose critical comments against the CM and other leaders led to her ouster from the cabinet, Surekha said she cannot be held responsible for her daughter’s remarks.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments on Manusmriti and patriarchy, she said her daughter spoke independently.
Asserting that she was a senior leader from the backward classes, she said the CM needs to think how far it is justified to remove her.
Noting that absence of women in the Council of Ministers in Congress-ruled Karnataka has become an issue, she said her removal in Telangana would also have an impact on the AICC in Delhi.
Asked about the view of several Congress MLAs that she should have condemned her daughter’s remarks as she is a member of the cabinet headed by Revanth Reddy, Surekha said condemning her daughter’s comments would amount to belittling Sushmita.
Meanwhile, Surekha also released to media the letters written by her to top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kharge, KC Venugopal, AICC incharge of party affairs Meenkashi Natarajan.
In her letter to Sonia Gandhi, Surekha alleged that CM Revanth Reddy has been “subjecting me, a BC woman minister, to suppressive measures from the beginning”. She sought Sonia Gandhi’s intervention and justice.
Meanwhile, state Congress disciplinary committee chairman Mallu Ravi said there is no exemption for anyone in ensuring discipline in the party.
Rejecting Surekha’s claims that her version was not heard before sacking her, Ravi said Surekha met Kharge and also the state Congress president.
On Surekha’s allegation that the CM resorted to “blackmail politics” for her removal, Ravi said such comments are made due to the unhappiness of losing post. PTI SJR SJR SA
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