Revanth Reddy’s remarks on state finances spark discord within Telangana Congress

Except for a few Cabinet Ministers who made an unconvincing effort to defend the Chief Minister’s statements, most Congress leaders are distancing themselves from his remarks

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s repeated remarks about the State’s financial distress have not only drawn flak from various quarters but also sparked internal dissent within the Telangana Congress.

Except for a few Cabinet Ministers who made an unconvincing effort to defend the Chief Minister’s statements, most Congress leaders are distancing themselves from his remarks.

While there is consensus that the State’s finances are strained, party insiders say the situation is not as dire as projected. “To convince employees’ unions, he exaggerated certain aspects,” a senior leader from Gandhi Bhavan observed.

“In trying to exert emotional pressure on employee unions, the Chief Minister became overly emotional. Statements like banks treating elected representatives as thieves are inappropriate,” the leader added.

When asked how the party high command might react, the senior leader said the AICC could privately express disapproval over the remarks. “The high command has been lauding Telangana’s caste census and encouraging the Centre to emulate it. At such a time, such statements on the State’s finances could embarrass the AICC,” the leader noted.

Sources indicated that the Chief Minister’s frustration was visible. Apart from dissent within the party, senior bureaucrats, particularly IAS officers, are reportedly not responding to his directives—a fact he himself has acknowledged on multiple occasions.

Recent reshuffles within the Chief Minister’s Office and transfers of senior IAS officers in key departments also point to administrative friction.

The Chief Minister had earlier instructed MLAs and other public representatives to undertake an extensive grassroots outreach campaign from April 16 to June 2, aimed at publicising the Congress government’s achievements.

At the Congress Legislative Party meeting, he also announced plans to begin district tours from May 1. However, only a few MLAs complied. While the scorching summer is a factor, many legislators reportedly fear public backlash for unfulfilled electoral promises.