- She could not digest the suspension of her OSD without her knowledge
- The Minister’s followers toiling over the humiliation to her
- Minister Konda Surekha is readying to fight Ponguleti?
- Medaram work tenders root cause of the rift between them
The existing rift between Minister for Forests and Environment and Endowments Konda Surekha and Minister for Revenue Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has significantly widened, fueled by controversy over a Rs 70 crore works tender for the Medaram Jathara and the subsequent termination of Minister Surekha’s OSD.
Tender Tussle Sparks Initial Conflict
The core difference between the two ministers originated with the Rs 70 crore works tender related to the upcoming Medaram festival. Minister Surekha has alleged that her Cabinet colleague, Minister Srinivasa Reddy, intervened in the tender process, demonstrating an act of “supremacy” within her own department.
“She is little information about it,” Surekha’s camp reportedly conveyed to media, indicating she was kept in the dark about matters concerning her portfolio. Surekha’s close associates further leaked to the media that she has lodged complaints with AICC leaders regarding Minister Ponguleti’s “hegemony attitude”, who is allegedly dictating terms to the his cabinet colleagues.
Minister Srinivasa Reddy, while addressing the media regarding Surekha’s allegations, downplayed the controversy. The Revenue Minister, whose primary profession is a contractor leading Raghava Constructions, stated that he was “not a person to aspire the contracts of small portion of amount like Rs 70 crore.”
OSD Termination Escalates Crisis
The matter intensified with the sudden termination of Minister Surekha’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD), N Sumanth, by Pollution Control Board (PCB) secretary Gulothu Ravi. Sumanth, an outsourcing PCB official, was reportedly terminated following multiple allegations of misconduct.
Minister Surekha is said to have “felt very bad” about the suspension. Taking a strong stand, she expressed her ire by skipping a scheduled program of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in Hanumakonda on October 15. Her calculated absence signaled the seriousness with which she viewed the issue. Informed sources said that the termination of Sumanth was made after the orders of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
Political Dynamics and Congress Unity Questioned
The “Surekha versus Ponguleti” episode has become a prominent political story, putting the spotlight on internal frictions within the ruling Congress party.
Minister Surekha’s background as a woman from the Backward Classes (BC) and her induction into the Revanth Cabinet has added a layer of complexity, particularly as the government champions the cause of extending 42% reservations to the BC community. Will she ready to take the issue to the high command or not? Is a big question.
The public feud has drawn attention to the common political aphorism:”Alai Balai (extraordinary unity) during electioneering and criticize each other while in power.” The 22-month rule of the Congress government has already seen instances of internal criticism among ministers and legislators, raising questions about party cohesion”.
Editor, Prime Post
Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.
It looks high handed behavior from Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy her cabinet colleague for taking interference into her activities. A good news item by Mr. Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, Editor, Prime Post.