Revanth Reddy Cites PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh to Defend Congress Meritocracy

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy stepped into the ongoing controversy surrounding senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's social media post on December 28, 2025, delivering a strong defense of former Congress President Sonia Gandhi's role in promoting merit-based leadership within the party. Without directly naming Singh, Reddy highlighted Sonia Gandhi's key decisions in appointing PV Narasimha Rao as prime minister in 1991 and Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2004 (and again in 2009), emphasizing that both leaders rose from humble backgrounds to lead the nation. Reddy's post on X served as a pointed reminder that the Congress has historically rewarded talent and service irrespective of origin, countering criticisms of dynastic politics.

Reddy's intervention came amid growing internal and external scrutiny of the Congress following Singh's praise for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organizational structure. In his post, Singh shared a 1990s photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting on the floor among grassroots workers, lauding how such humility and discipline propelled individuals to high office. Although Singh later clarified that he was only commending the BJP-RSS's organizational strength, the remark triggered sharp reactions within the Congress, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and spokesperson Pawan Khera issuing strong rebuttals without naming Singh directly.

The episode has reignited debates about the Congress's internal functioning, with the BJP seizing the opportunity to accuse the party of autocratic leadership under the Gandhi family. Party spokesperson CR Kesavan publicly questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would respond to Singh's "truth bomb," framing it as evidence of undemocratic practices. Meanwhile, at a Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi was seen lightly teasing Singh about his "mischief," drawing laughter from those present, including Sonia Gandhi, suggesting an attempt to downplay the controversy internally. The exchange highlighted the complex dynamics within the party amid calls for organizational reforms.

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The row also reflects broader discontent voiced by some Congress figures, including Shashi Tharoor, who has emphasized the need to strengthen the party's organization without delving into specifics on Singh's remarks. Sources indicate that Singh's comments may be influenced by his upcoming Rajya Sabha term ending in early 2026, with slim prospects for a third consecutive term. Reddy's response, however, sought to project the Congress as a party committed to democratic values, meritocracy, and unity in diversity—attributes he credited to Sonia Gandhi's leadership and the party's historical contributions from the freedom struggle to modern nation-building.

The controversy underscores persistent tensions within the Congress as it navigates internal criticism and opposition attacks ahead of future electoral battles. While Singh's post has fueled speculation about factionalism, Reddy's intervention reinforces loyalty to the Gandhi family and highlights the party's long tradition of elevating leaders from diverse backgrounds. As discussions continue, the episode serves as a reminder of the challenges facing the Congress in balancing internal reform demands with its core ideological narrative.

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