Hyderabad: After recent internal troubles in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is facing a fresh bout of infighting in Telangana as well, even as it runs the state government.
Forest, Environment and Endowments Minister Gonda Surekha did not attend a cabinet meeting held last week. Party circles note that she had returned to Hyderabad a day before the meeting after an overseas trip, but still stayed away.
Within the party, her absence has triggered speculation of differences with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The immediate flashpoint is said to be the 1,000-year-old cave temple of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Yadagirigutta, about 60 km from Hyderabad.
Surekha had written to the Chief Minister seeking the appointment of certain members to the temple trust. However, it is alleged that the Chief Minister made appointments of his choice without consulting the minister, prompting her to boycott the cabinet meeting.
Adding to the disquiet, a Congress MLA is also said to be upset after the Chief Minister rejected names recommended for the same trust. The Chief Minister’s side, however, has downplayed the episode, calling it routine in politics.
