Fears of internal revolt: Is Revanth Reddy tapping own ministers’ phones

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is at the center of a political firestorm following explosive allegations that he has been tapping the phones of his own cabinet ministers, sparking outrage and deepening tensions within the ruling Congress government.

The accusations come at a time when the Congress-led administration is already grappling with an ongoing investigation into phone-tapping activities allegedly conducted by the previous BRS government, adding a layer of irony and intensifying public uproar.

Shocking allegations of surveillance

A report by The South First alleged that Revanth Reddy had intercepted a one-hour phone conversation between two senior Reddy ministers from Nalgonda district, subsequently summoning one of them for a discussion. The report suggested that detailed information about ministers’ movements and conversations is reaching the Chief Minister’s Office in real-time, catching many off guard and fueling unease within the cabinet.

The allegations come amid growing speculation of an internal revolt within the Telangana Congress, with sources indicating that Reddy is increasingly insecure about his position as Chief Minister. Reports suggest that a group of MLAs and senior leaders, including those from Nalgonda, are unhappy with Reddy’s leadership style and have been lobbying the Congress high command in Delhi for changes in the cabinet or even the chief ministership.

The growing camaraderie between ministers like N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who recently praised each other publicly, has further intensified speculation of a power struggle within the party.

Party insiders claim that Revanth Reddy’s repeated assertions of remaining in office for a decade have irked several MLAs, with Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy openly stating that the Congress will not tolerate attempts to turn the party into a “personal kingdom.” Additionally, Backward Class (BC) MLAs are reportedly pushing for a deputy chief minister post, citing their community’s majority as per a recent caste survey, adding to the internal pressures on Reddy.

The Congress government has so far avoided directly addressing the allegations, with Reddy maintaining silence on the issue. However, the controversy threatens to destabilize the Congress’s fragile unity in Telangana, especially as it faces pressure from the BJP and BRS ahead of upcoming local body elections. The state’s fiscal challenges, with a reported monthly deficit of ₹4,000 crore and heavy borrowing, have already drawn criticism, and the phone-tapping scandal could further erode public trust.

Political analysts suggest that Reddy’s alleged surveillance may stem from his tumultuous rise to power, marked by a history of defection from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to Congress in 2017 and internal party resistance during his appointment as CM in December .