Konda Surekha tied rakhi to CM Revanth Reddy. Days later, he dropped her from his cabinet

HYDERABAD: Days before minister Konda Surekha was sacked from the Cabinet, she was seen tying a rakhi to chief minister A Revanth Reddy at his residence, amid a controversy over remarks made by her daughter against the CM and the Congress party.In the video, Surekha, along with Women and Child Welfare Minister Seethakka, is seen tying a rakhi to Revanth Reddy during Raksha Bandhan celebrations.After the celebrations, Revanth posted on X: “On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, which stands as a symbol of the bond between sisters and brothers, ministers Seethakka and Konda Surekha tied rakhis. I wish that this Raksha Bandhan festival brings joy to every girl child. #RakshaBandhan #Rakhi #Telangana.”In a separate post, he said: “To every elder sister, younger sister. People’s governance is Rakshabandhan. #RakshaBandhan #Rakhi #Telangana.”Speaking to reporters, Surekha said she had tied a rakhi to Revanth as she had done over the past two years.Asked about demands from Congress legislators for action against her, she said: “I do not want to comment on this auspicious festive day.”She added that she had prayed for the blessings of women to remain with Revanth.“Don’t single me out in this case. Today is a festival day and we all women have tied rakhis to the CM,” she said.Controversy over daughter’s remarksThe Raksha Bandhan celebrations came amid a controversy over remarks made by Surekha’s daughter, Konda Susmita, against Revanth and the Congress party.Susmita had criticised Revanth after he stated that sitting Parkal MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy would be given the Congress ticket from the constituency in the next Assembly election.A contender for the ticket herself, Susmita had said on August 19 that the CM did not have the authority to make such a decision and had also levelled other allegations against him.Surekha maintained that she could not be held responsible for her adult daughter’s comments. However, several Congress MLAs and MLCs demanded action against her.The TPCC disciplinary committee subsequently recommended action against Surekha for failing to condemn her daughter’s remarks.Surekha sacked from CabinetCM A Revanth Reddy later dropped Konda Surekha from his Cabinet, amid growing concerns over indiscipline within the state Congress.Sources told that the Congress high command had preferred Surekha to resign, but she refused to quit and travelled to Delhi to present her case before the party leadership.After meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Surekha said she had explained her position and challenged the high command to take whatever action it deemed appropriate.She reiterated that her daughter was an adult and that her remarks should not be linked to her.Revanth had also taken up the matter with AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal in Delhi and sought action against Surekha. Venugopal’s refusal to meet Surekha had further fuelled speculation that disciplinary action was imminent.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Hyderabad | Silver Rate in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Petrol Price in Hyderabad | Diesel Price in Hyderabad | CNG Price in Hyderabad | LPG Price in HyderabadStay updated with the latest Hyderabad news. Download the TOI App.