Tremors continue in Telangana Congress

The Congress government in Telangana under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is facing yet another explosive showdown between Ministers. Just days after quelling a spat between Ministers Adluri Laxman and Ponnam Prabhakar—where Ponnam's "Dunna Pothu" jibe at Adluri sparked outrage, only to be patched up by TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud's intervention—another explosive rift has erupted. This time, Endowments Minister Konda Surekha is gunning for Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, accusing him of domineering overreach in Warangal district affairs. It's a "tender war" that's exposing deeper cracks in the party's unity, with whispers of favoritism and insults flying thick and fast.

The flashpoint? The upcoming Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, Asia's largest tribal festival, set for January 28-31, 2026. During a September 23 site visit, CM Revanth announced a Rs 150 crore master plan, releasing Rs 71 crore upfront for rapid infrastructure upgrades—roads, temples, and pilgrim facilities. But Surekha, whose Endowments Department oversees the funds, claims Ponguleti, as district in-charge, hijacked the process. Allegations fly that he steered tenders to his relatives and Khammam loyalists, with two of three bidding firms linked to him. Insiders reveal Ponguleti's weekly reviews also being held without informing the minister.

Surekha's husband, ex-MLC Konda Murali, no stranger to feuds, has fired off complaints to AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, and Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan. The couple plans a Delhi dash on October 12 for a Monday showdown, blasting Ponguleti's "unauthorized meddling" from his Khammam base. Ponguleti's camp denies overstepping, insisting he's just executing duties.

This isn't isolated. Surekha recently clashed with Minister Vivek Venkatswamy when he reviewed her Forest Department without notice, forcing a quick apology. The Jubilee Hills bypoll ticket row simmers too: Ex-MP Anjan Kumar Yadav went vocal over "local vs non-local" bias, questioning why he was ignored despite his service to the party for decades.

Adding fuel, Warangal MLAs like Naini Rajender Reddy oppose the Konda family's "domination," citing Bhadrakali temple trust appointments. Rebels Revuri Prakash Reddy and Kadiyam Srihari have dragged the Kondas to the disciplinary panel, with no resolution yet. TPCC Chief Mahesh Goud, a few days ago, sternly warned ministers to act responsibly and avoid turf wars, but the advice falls on deaf ears amid looming local polls and BC quota debates.

Party insiders fear these public brawls are eroding Congress's image, turning governance into a soap opera. Will the high command clamp down, or will this affect the ruling party image? As sacred Medaram becomes a political minefield, Telangana's voters watch the unholy spectacle unfold. Stay tuned—the Jatara's drama is just revving up!