Even as the stage appears set for Telangana Endowments and Forests Minister Konda Surekha’s exit from the Revanth Reddy cabinet and the Congress, rebellious Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy has once again raised his voice against the Chief Minister, triggering speculation over whether he too is planning to follow Surekha’s path.
It was only recently that Rajagopal Reddy sought to distance himself from the Surekha controversy and even claimed that he had no differences with Revanth Reddy.
However, on Wednesday, the Munugode MLA once again launched an attack on the Chief Minister during an event marking the death anniversary of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
After paying tributes to YSR’s statue, Rajagopal Reddy said he had no personal craving for political positions. At the same time, he made it clear that when the right opportunity came, nobody would be able to prevent him from assuming a position of responsibility.
Expressing confidence that he could become Chief Minister at some point in the future, Rajagopal Reddy said that if such a time came, even Lord Brahma could not stop him.
He, however, sought to portray his political ambitions as being linked to public service rather than personal advancement.
He said any position he received would not be treated as a personal honour or a crown, but as a responsibility entrusted to an ordinary person. Serving the poor and underprivileged sections, he said, remained his primary political objective.
Making an indirect attack on Revanth Reddy, the Munugode MLA strongly objected to leaders who joined the Congress from other political parties attempting to dictate terms.
While stating that he was not opposed to inviting leaders from other parties to strengthen the Congress, he warned against newcomers trying to sideline long-standing party workers and take control of the organisation.
“Coming into our house and trying to drive us out will not be acceptable,” he said, triggering considerable discussion within Congress circles.
Rajagopal Reddy demanded justice for original Congress workers who, according to him, had fought against the BRS government for nearly a decade with the objective of bringing the Congress back to power.
He further alleged that some individuals were trying to take control of the Telangana Congress. He asserted that as long as he remained in the party, nobody would be allowed to “capture” the Congress organisation.
Rajagopal Reddy also sought to reassure long-standing Congress workers in Munugode and across Telangana, saying they need not be afraid and that he would stand by them.
He said his objective was to strengthen the Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and help the party retain power. He maintained that his political activities were focused on public issues rather than securing positions.
Rajagopal Reddy also said he would work towards carrying forward Rajasekhara Reddy’s ideals and recalled the welfare and development initiatives launched during YSR’s tenure.
He expressed his desire to see the return of what he described as the “Rajasekhara Reddy era” in Telangana.
