Internal differences come to the fore at Meenakshi’s review meeting

Hyderabad

Internal differences within the Telangana Congress have come into the open with former MLA Sampath Kumar raising allegations against senior party leader and Nagarkurnool MP Mallu Ravi.

During a review meeting held by AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan on Thursday, Mr. Sampath Kumar accused Mr. Mallu Ravi of ‘encouraging’ BRS MLA from Alampur, Vijayudu, sparking controversy within party circles. Mr. Ravi, he alleged, was encouraging the local MLA from the Opposition party and visiting the constituency without informing the local leadership.

Responding to the developments, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud said the party would look into Mr. Sampath Kumar’s allegations. “An inquiry will be initiated into the complaints to find out the truth,” Mr. Goud said.

Mr. Mallu Ravi, considered a close confidant of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, was recently appointed as Chairman of the Telangana Congress’s Disciplinary Committee, a move that elevated his role within the party.

The review meetings, which are part of the Congress’s internal assessment of its performance and preparations ahead of future polls, saw Ms. Natarajan reviewing three parliamentary constituencies in the State including Nagarkurnool.

No gratitude for loyalty

She interacted with local leaders and cadres to understand grassroots sentiment. The meetings also brought forth growing dissatisfaction among workers, who complained that loyal party functionaries were not getting their due share in local political positions.

Ms. Natarajan instructed leaders to prepare a comprehensive list of ground-level workers who have remained loyal to the party. These individuals could be accommodated in the posts of directors in state-run corporations and on various committees like temple panels to ensure a more inclusive and representative structure.

Meanwhile, Mr. Goud spoke on broader policy matters, hailing the recently-conducted caste survey in Telangana as a model for the rest of the country. He said the survey reflected the Congress government’s commitment to social justice. He also acknowledged that there was an urgent need to fill up party posts and that would be done soon.

Published - June 05, 2025 08:58 pm IST