Hyderabad: CM Revanth Reddy Navigates Party Challenges and Government Duties
Hyderabad: Chief Minister and TPCC president A Revanth Reddy is currently engaged in a multitude of tasks, from addressing concerns of senior party leaders to preparing for cabinet expansion, clearing pending projects, and securing funds from the Centre.
In New Delhi, Reddy is in discussions with the Congress High Command regarding the proposed cabinet expansion, the induction of BRS MLAs into the party, and addressing the grievances of senior party leaders like MLC K Jeevan Reddy. He is also meeting with Union Ministers to expedite pending projects and secure necessary funds.
The open dissent from 73-year-old senior party leader and MLC T Jeevan Reddy over the induction of rival BRS MLA Sanjay Kumar highlights the growing unrest within the Congress party and the new government under Revanth Reddy regarding defections from the BRS.
To address the issue, CM Reddy has sent emissaries, including Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and IT Minister Sridhar Babu, to appease Jeevan Reddy with an offer of a suitable government post. Jeevan Reddy had threatened to resign from his MLC seat over the unconsulted induction of Sanjay Kumar into the party. Anticipating further issues due to new entrants from the BRS, CM Reddy has apprised the Congress High Command of the situation.
Sources indicate that Jeevan Reddy was previously offered the Chairmanship of Rythu Samanwaya Samithi, a position formerly held by Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, which he declined. While there is speculation about offering him a cabinet berth, another senior party leader sees little scope, given the current composition of the 12-member state cabinet.
Previously, senior leader V Hanumantha Rao (VHR) expressed dissatisfaction with his treatment post-Congress victory, particularly over the denial of the Khammam MP ticket. Despite interventions and meetings with CM Reddy, VHR remains displeased.
A senior Congress leader with close ties to the High Command asserts that CM Reddy’s decisions have their full support. The High Command is backing Reddy, who has been pivotal in bringing Congress to power in Telangana, granting him considerable autonomy in his actions.
Despite his threat to resign from the MLC position, Jeevan Reddy has affirmed his commitment to the Congress party, emphasizing his long-standing loyalty and alignment with Rahul Gandhi’s stance on defections. He expressed concerns over the induction of Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, questioning the necessity of encouraging defections when the party already has a majority.
Many Congress MLAs and senior leaders are opposed to the induction of BRS members, fearing the emergence of rival power centers in their constituencies and the erosion of their influence. Nonetheless, sources indicate that more BRS MLAs may soon join Congress, despite threats from BRS leadership to enforce anti-defection laws.
CM Reddy is also focusing on administrative efficiency, recently executing a significant reshuffle of 44 IAS/IPS officers. The cabinet has approved a crop loan waiver scheme of up to Rs 2 lakh, set to be implemented by August 15.
Reddy faces the challenging task of streamlining the party and government while fulfilling his promises to the public.
