Yet again, infightings and internal bickering came to the fore in Telangana Congress for which it is infamous. Though they pretend to be united, the senior leaders in the party are leaving no opportunity to vent their anger and disappointment in public. Even as the assembly elections are fast approaching, the simmering resentment is only getting stronger and almost all the fingers point towards the one-upmanship of TPCC President Revanth Reddy.
The eye of the storm is the former TPCC President and MP Uttam Kumar Reddy who had been alleging that Revanth was conspiring to malign his image. Uttam and Revanth have been at loggerheads since the bypoll in Huzurnagar, and according to Uttam, Revanth is behind the malicious propaganda against him on social media. Uttam even complained to the Police that the Youth Congress Social Media war room was indulging in trolls and morphs on him allegedly at the behest of Revanth’s team. Reportedly, Uttam Kumar Reddy has escalated the issue and brought it to the notice of the party’s central leadership in his recent visit to New Delhi.
On the other hand, a veteran leader like MLA Jagga Reddy openly commented that he is unsure whether any sort of unity exists in the party. The MLA lamented that rumours were afloat against the party leaders for four years and he maintained that this unfortunate situation is unique to Congress. According to news reports, Jagga Reddy spoke in private with Rahul Gandhi and voiced his concern.
Also, senior leaders such as Jana Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Jagga Reddy were forced to dispel the rumours of them quitting the Congress. They explained to Congress Telangana incharge Manikrao Thakre that those rumors were baseless and aimed at defaming them. In addition, the Congress, especially the Khammam district unit, is divided on the induction of former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy into the party’s fold. According to reports, the party is facing difficulty in reaching a consensus on whether to name the July meeting in Khammam as Ponguleti’s joining ceremony or as the concluding event of CLP Leader Bhatti Vikramarka’s walkathon.
Adding fuel to the fire, MLA Seethakka, who is Revanth’s confidant, said that there are coverts in the party and former MP Renuka Chowdary added that it is natural to have a difference of opinion in any party. Such statements further solidify the brewing discontent in Telangana Congress.
The never-ending issue of squabbles among the party leaders has reached the party high command and Revanth Reddy had an earful from Rahul Gandhi in the recently held strategic meeting. Rahul Gandhi seriously warned the party leaders to mend their ways and set the house in order.