Hyderabad, July 9: The differences between Telangana Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari have intensified, with the minister formally approaching Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Mahesh Kumar Goud seeking disciplinary action against the senior legislator.
According to party sources, Surekha met Mahesh Kumar Goud on Thursday and expressed her displeasure over what she described as Srihari’s interference in matters relating to the Endowments Department. She also conveyed her dissatisfaction with the political developments in Warangal district, alleging that she was being sidelined within the party.
After hearing the minister’s concerns, Mahesh Kumar Goud reportedly assured her that the matter would be examined in detail and resolved after discussions with all those concerned.
The latest development comes days after Surekha lodged a complaint with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, requesting a disciplinary committee inquiry against Srihari. In her complaint, she alleged that the MLA had conducted an unauthorised review meeting on temple development, violating established protocol.
The dispute surfaced after Srihari held discussions on the development of temples in his constituency, a move that the minister viewed as interference in the functioning of her department.
Rejecting the allegations, Kadiyam Srihari maintained that he had not violated any protocol. The former Deputy Chief Minister, who joined the Congress after defecting from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), said he had merely met the Endowments Commissioner to discuss development works, repairs, and recruitment issues concerning five temples in the Station Ghanpur constituency.
Srihari asserted that elected representatives have every right to meet senior government officials, including Collectors and departmental commissioners, to submit representations on public issues. He clarified that while only ministers and Cabinet-rank leaders are authorised to conduct official review meetings, MLAs and MPs are free to participate in such meetings and raise constituency-related concerns.
Stating that he had committed no wrongdoing, Srihari said there was no question of offering an explanation for his actions.
The issue has exposed growing differences between the two Congress leaders, with the party leadership now expected to intervene to prevent the dispute from escalating further.
