Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge visits Telangana to review the Revanth Reddy government’s performance, address 15,000 grassroots workers, and resolve internal party issues. His visit includes discussions on caste census, local elections, and growing dissent within party ranks, particularly in the Warangal district.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge arrived in Telangana on Thursday to lead a high-profile visit that underscores both internal party concerns and the need to mobilize grassroots support. The Congress chief is scheduled to address a gathering of over 15,000 party workers at LB Stadium, Hyderabad, on Friday, as part of the party’s “Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan” movement. His visit is also marked by crucial discussions on the Telangana government’s performance over the last 18 months, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
Kharge’s itinerary includes several key meetings with the state leadership, including the Congress’ Telangana unit and the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) at Gandhi Bhavan, the state Congress headquarters. Those expected to be present include Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, party in-charge Meenakshi Natrajan, Telangana Congress President Mahesh Kumar Goud, several state ministers, and senior leaders.
At the heart of Kharge’s visit is a review of the Congress-led government’s achievements and challenges since assuming office. With the 18-month milestone approaching, the party is keen to assess policy implementations, public reception, and readiness for upcoming elections. Sources indicate that Kharge will also deliberate on crucial social justice issues such as the caste census, enhancing reservations for backward classes, and the implementation of Scheduled Caste categorization—topics that hold significant relevance in Telangana’s socio-political landscape.
Another critical component of Kharge’s visit is the launch of the party’s campaign for the upcoming local body elections. The Telangana High Court has recently mandated that panchayat elections must be held within three months, following a delay that has already extended beyond the legal term. The terms of the panchayats expired on January 31, 2024, but elections have not yet been held, prompting legal petitions from former sarpanches.
The State Election Commission and the government are expected to finalize the poll schedule after completing the backward class reservation framework. In this context, Kharge’s presence and public address are seen as both a morale booster for party workers and a statement of intent regarding the Congress’s electoral preparedness.
The LB Stadium event has been preceded by high-level reviews of arrangements by Deputy CM Vikramarka, state Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, and other senior leaders. With thousands of grassroots workers expected to participate, the rally aims to energize the party base and reinforce Congress’s ideological commitment.
However, Kharge’s visit also comes amid internal turmoil within the party. Several Congress MLAs have voiced dissatisfaction over being left out of the recent Cabinet expansion, raising concerns about factionalism and lack of coordination between the government and the party. These sentiments are especially strong in the united Warangal district.
A controversy erupted recently when Konda Murali, husband of Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, allegedly made critical remarks against certain MLAs, MPs, and other party leaders in the region. The comments triggered internal dissent, prompting the Konda couple to meet AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natrajan on Thursday. They submitted a report detailing the ongoing disputes and reportedly lodged complaints against Revenue Minister P. Srinivas Reddy, who serves as the in-charge minister for Warangal.
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The couple also defended their daughter’s political aspirations, as she is rumored to be planning to contest the next Assembly elections from the Prakal constituency in Warangal.
As Kharge steps into a complex political terrain, his visit is being closely watched by both party insiders and the public. His meetings and public address are expected to not only galvanize the Congress cadre but also bring clarity on the path ahead for the party in Telangana.
