Telangana Congress Faces Turmoil Over Komatireddy’s Cabinet Snub

A public feud has erupted within the Telangana Congress, exposing deep-seated tensions over unfulfilled promises and cabinet berths. Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy has openly criticized the party leadership after Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka confirmed in a local TV interview on August 11, 2025, that the Congress high command had promised Rajagopal a ministerial post before the 2023 Assembly elections. The revelation, intended to clarify the situation, has instead fueled a bitter dispute, with Rajagopal alleging betrayal by state-level leaders, pointing fingers at Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

In the interview, Bhatti Vikramarka admitted he was present when the Congress high command assured Rajagopal a cabinet position, a promise reiterated before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, he explained that accommodating Rajagopal was challenging due to social and caste balancing, as Rajagopal’s elder brother, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, already holds the Roads and Buildings portfolio. Bhatti’s candid remarks brought the simmering discontent within the party to a boil, highlighting the delicate balance of regional and caste representation in Telangana’s 15-member cabinet, which can expand to a maximum of 18, including the Chief Minister.

Reacting on X on August 12, 2025, Rajagopal thanked Bhatti for confirming the promise but accused certain state leaders of obstructing its fulfillment and humiliating him. “A ministerial post is not as important to me as fulfilling promises to the people of Munugode and ensuring a corruption-free government,” he posted, in a thinly veiled jab at Revanth Reddy’s leadership. Rajagopal’s outspoken criticism, coupled with his earlier threats to resign as MLA, has intensified speculation about internal rifts within the Telangana Congress, especially as the party struggles to implement its poll promises.

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Rajagopal’s frustration stems from a turbulent political journey. He quit Congress in 2022 to join the BJP, forcing a Munugode by-election, which he lost to the BRS. Returning to Congress just before the 2023 Assembly elections, he secured the Munugode seat and expected a cabinet role, even expressing interest in the Home portfolio. Despite his contributions, including ensuring a Congress victory in the Bhongir Lok Sabha seat in 2024, Rajagopal was overlooked in the initial cabinet formation in December 2023 and again during the June 2025 expansion, which inducted three MLAs—G Vivek Venkataswamy, Adluri Laxman Kumar, and Vakiti Srihari—for caste and regional balance.

The June expansion sparked wider discontent among other aspirants, including senior leader P Sudarshan Reddy, Malreddy Ranga Reddy, and K Premsagar Rao, who felt sidelined. AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan and TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud have been scrambling to pacify these leaders, with Natarajan visiting Sudarshan Reddy’s residence and convincing Ranga Reddy to cancel a press conference. Rajagopal, however, has been vocal, alleging discrimination in fund allocation, claiming Revanth Reddy’s Kodangal constituency received Rs. 5,000 crore while Munugode was neglected. He also accused “Andhra contractors” of looting Telangana, escalating his attack on the state leadership.

The Congress high command’s silence has done little to quell the unrest. Rajagopal’s brother, Venkat Reddy, distanced himself, stating he was unaware of any promise and that the decision lies with Revanth Reddy and the high command. The TPCC Disciplinary Committee, led by MP Mallu Ravi, has promised to address Rajagopal’s outbursts, warning that indiscipline won’t be tolerated. Meanwhile, other MLAs, including those from Backward Classes and marginalized communities, have raised concerns about underrepresentation, with Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts notably absent from the cabinet despite their significant population.

The public spat comes at a delicate time for Telangana Congress, already facing criticism from opposition BRS leader K Chandrashekhar Rao for aligning with BJP’s interests and failing to deliver on promises like loan waivers and job creation. Posts on X reflect growing public discontent, with some accusing Revanth Reddy of turning the party into a “personal fiefdom.” As the Congress navigates this internal crisis, the leadership must balance loyalty, merit, and social equations to prevent further dissent from derailing its governance in Telangana.

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