Surekha to stay as MLA, writes to AICC alleging caste bias in her dismissal from Cabinet

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Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, who was dropped from the State Cabinet on Thursday, ruled out joining any other party and indicated that she would continue as MLA.

In response to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy recommending her removal from the Cabinet, she said her association with the Congress will continue as an MLA. “I will serve my constituency,” she said while defending her earlier stance on her daughter’s comments.

Her clarification came amid speculation over her political future and rumours that BJP was waiting to admit her. She alleged that Chief Minister’s brothers, Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Rajya Sabha member Vem Narender Reddy were responsible for the developments.

Ms Surekha also claimed that the AICC was not inclined to take action, but Mr. Revanth Reddy had ‘blackmailed’ them to take action.

Earlier, she released a letter written to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and KC Venugopal, where she claimed Mr. Revanth Reddy had targeted her with caste and gender bias.

Ms Surekha claimed that she was deliberately marginalised politically and administratively in the government while mentioning several incidents where decisions of her ministry were taken without her knowledge.

Substantiating her allegations, she cited several instances like how she was kept out of the constitution of the Yadagirigutta Temple Trust Board despite being the Endowments Minister. She also alleged that funds released by her department for the Sammakka-Saralamma temple makeover were given to the Roads and Buildings Department without informing her.

She also mentioned how her photograph was omitted from government advertisements issued on the occasion of Ram Navami. She also referred to the police action involving her On Special Duty (OSD) officer Sumanth, with police personnel coming to her official residence to arrest him.

Such incidents were deeply hurtful, she argued, adding that they created a strong impression that even minimal recognition and dignity were denied. “I consider the incident not only an affront to my personal dignity but also a serious disregard for the dignity and status of a serving Minister,” she said in the letter.

Ms. Surekha also used her caste in the letter, repeatedly mentioning that she and her husband, Konda Murali, belong to two different castes among the BCs, with a considerable vote percentage. She also claimed there was a coordinated political effort to isolate her family from her constituency, East Warangal.

She argued that she can’t be questioned over remarks made by her daughter, Susmitha Patel, and appealed to Mr. Rahul Gandhi for an impartial and comprehensive inquiry into the issues raised by her.

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