Reports said the Congress high command asked Telangana minister Konda Surekha to resign. Surekha, however, said she had not received such a demand, while the party disciplinary report and a possible Cabinet reshuffle fuelled speculation.

The Congress high command has reportedly asked Telangana Endowments and Forest Minister Konda Surekha to resign amid escalating tensions within the state party unit. Reports said the leadership may consider removing her from the Cabinet if she does not step down voluntarily.

The reported development followed a recommendation from the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee’s disciplinary committee seeking stringent action against the minister. The panel examined the controversy surrounding statements made by Surekha’s daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and party decisions.

However, no publicly available formal resignation letter, government dismissal order or official Congress announcement confirmed Surekha’s exit at the time of reporting. Surekha separately maintained that nobody from the party high command had asked her to resign.

The TPCC disciplinary committee, headed by Mallu Ravi, reportedly recommended Surekha’s removal from the state Cabinet. The committee submitted its findings to TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud after reviewing the public dispute.

The controversy intensified when Sushmitha questioned Revanth Reddy’s support for sitting Parkal MLA Revuri Prakash Reddy as a potential candidate in the next Assembly election. She also indicated that she could contest independently if the Congress denied her a ticket.

Party leaders viewed the remarks as a challenge to the Chief Minister and the organisation’s authority. Surekha argued that her adult daughter was responsible for her own political statements and questioned why she should face disciplinary action for them.

Revanth Reddy reportedly discussed the issue with AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal in New Delhi and sought strong action to reinforce discipline within the Telangana Congress.

The party leadership is understood to be considering Surekha’s ministerial position separately from any organisational disciplinary proceedings. Removing a minister involves a government process, while action against a party member falls under Congress rules.

Reports suggested that the high command could ask Surekha to resign or advise the state government to remove her during a Cabinet reorganisation. The possibility of filling vacant Cabinet positions has added to speculation over her future.

Earlier reports said the disciplinary committee had recommended Surekha’s removal, but also stressed that the AICC had not taken a final decision at that stage.

Surekha said she did not believe the Congress leadership had asked her to resign and maintained that no such communication had reached her.

She indicated that she would question the grounds for demanding her resignation if pressure were applied. The minister also alleged that she was being treated unfairly for remarks made by an independent adult family member.

Surekha defended her daughter’s political aspirations and raised concerns about representation for Backward Classes within the party. She argued that action against her could create political difficulties for Congress among sections of the BC community.

Her position directly complicates reports that the resignation request has already been formally conveyed. Until Congress or the Telangana government issues an official statement, the claim should be presented as a reported high-command move rather than a completed decision.

The dispute presents a political challenge for Congress as it attempts to maintain unity in Telangana. Surekha is a senior leader with an established regional and BC support base, while the Chief Minister is seeking tighter discipline within the party and government.

The high command must now balance action over public criticism with the potential political consequences of removing a senior woman minister from a Backward Class community.

Surekha has shown no intention of resigning voluntarily and continues to dispute the basis of the disciplinary process. Congress must decide whether to pursue her removal, negotiate a settlement or address the issue through a wider Cabinet reshuffle.

At present, Surekha remains a minister unless her resignation is accepted or a formal government order removes her from office. The next official communication from the Congress leadership, Chief Minister or Raj Bhavan will determine whether the reported demand results in an actual Cabinet change.