Who could be behind Telangana Endowments and Forests Minister Konda Surekha’s recent political moves and the controversy surrounding her?
This question has triggered intense speculation in political and media circles across the state.
Analysts are wondering why Surekha suddenly chose to reopen an issue that had the potential to create friction within the Congress.
Her claim that she had nothing to do with the remarks made by her son has reportedly failed to convince sections of the political establishment.
The immediate trigger for Surekha’s daughter Sushmita Patel’s outburst against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is believed to be his recent statement that Revuri Prakash Reddy would contest from Parkal.
However, analysts point out that Surekha had already boycotted the Chief Minister’s Warangal tour, suggesting that the differences may run deeper.
Another theory doing the rounds is that the developments could be part of a broader political strategy by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, led by former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, to weaken Revanth Reddy.
According to this speculation, KCR believes that Revanth Reddy may have had a role in the rebellion by his daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who launched the Telangana Rakshana Sena.
Her criticism of the previous BRS government, including allegations related to the Kaleshwaram project and other issues, could politically benefit the Congress and Revanth Reddy.
The theory suggests that the BRS may try to offset this damage by encouraging a split in the Congress vote base.
In this context, KCR is said to be seeking the support of YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, with whom he has shared cordial political relations.
Analysts say KCR could be encouraging Jagan to revive YSRCP activities in Telangana and attract sections of voters who still have an affinity for the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
With the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party also looking to expand their presence in Telangana, any fragmentation of the anti-BRS vote could work to the BRS’s advantage.
This is also being cited as one reason why Jagan has reportedly told close associates that he plans to spend two or three days a week in Hyderabad focusing on Telangana politics, while spending the remaining days in Tadepalli overseeing political affairs in Andhra Pradesh.
As part of any possible revival of the YSRCP in Telangana, Jagan is said to be looking at leaders with a strong YSR legacy, including Konda Surekha, G Chinna Reddy and Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy. If such leaders drift away from the Congress, it could potentially weaken the party’s vote base and indirectly benefit the BRS.
Political observers also point to attempts to portray the Revanth Reddy-led Congress as a “yellow Congress,” a reference intended to suggest proximity to the TDP. According to this theory, such a narrative could be used to create divisions within the Congress.
“If Revanth Reddy is weakened, the Congress itself could become vulnerable,” one political analyst argued.
For now, much of this remains in the realm of political speculation.
The way the Congress high command handles the Konda Surekha controversy, and whether any disciplinary action follows, could provide greater clarity on the internal political equations in the days ahead.
