Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday met AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal in New Delhi and reportedly told him that stringent disciplinary action should be taken, especially against endowments minister Konda Surekha to send a clear message that indiscipline will not be tolerated at any level.This has led to speculation in the party that Konda Surekha might be dropped from the cabinet and that Revanth himself has strongly suggested it to Venugopal. “The AICC top leadership will take a decision that would serve well for Congress to come back to power in the next elections, send a clear message that indiscipline will not be tolerated and ensure that CM Revanth is respected by one and all. AICC does not want to lose Telangana,” a senior AICC leader said.Interestingly, the AICC leadership has also summoned Konda Surekha to Delhi and is likely to seek her version on TPCC disciplinary action committee recommending her removal from the cabinet, and seeking the resignation of planning board vice chairman G Chinna Reddy for indiscipline. Surekha went to Delhi on Tuesday, sources said.Venugopal has also invited AICC in charge of Telangana Meenakshi Natarajan and TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud for talks on Wednesday to seek their opinion too before sending a final report to AICC top leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Mahesh Goud has already reached New Delhi.While it was a one-on-one meeting held for nearly an hour between Revanth and Venugopal, but it is reportedly learnt that during which the former discussed cabinet reshuffle, replacement to Surekha if she is dropped and induction of new faces as two more vacancies are there in the cabinet, the 1,000 days of Congress govt, the ensuing MLC elections, nominated posts and disciplinary action likely to be taken against Konda Surekha and G Chinna Reddy. However, the AICC leadership has not taken a final decision. The possibility of Revanth meeting even Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday or Thursday is not being ruled out.The speculation in party circles is about who would be replacing Konda Surekha if she is dropped from the cabinet.However, no one was sure whether any of the women legislators’ or MLCs’ names were considered during the meeting between Revanth and Venugopal as there are other strong contenders among men including Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy, B Mahesh Kumar Goud (BC), Adi Srinivas (BC), Balu Naik (ST), Malreddy Ranga Reddy, T Ram Mohan Reddy, Kokkirala Prem Sagar Rao (Velama) among others.According to party sources, Revanth Reddy personally conveyed his views to Venugopal regarding the controversy surrounding Konda Surekha. The discussions come amid growing demand within the Congress to either drop her from the cabinet during a reshuffle or ask her to resign.Party sources said there is concern that failure to act in the matter could encourage indiscipline within the party in the future. The Congress high command is also considering the possible political impact of taking action against Konda Surekha, particularly as she is a BC woman leader. The leadership is weighing various aspects before arriving at a final decision.
