Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy drops resignation hint

In a move that could deepen the fault lines within the Telangana Congress, senior leader and Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy on Tuesday issued a strong warning to the party leadership, saying he is prepared to resign from his legislative post if the neglect of his political contributions continues.

Ready for sacrifice

Rajagopal Reddy made clear his disappointment with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the Congress high command, whom he accused of sidelining him despite promises made at the time of his return to the party in 2023.

Rajagopal Reddy claimed that when he rejoined the Congress from the BJP last year, the party’s central leadership assured him a cabinet berth. He noted that his efforts were instrumental in securing a Congress victory in the Bhongir parliamentary constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“The party high command had assured me a cabinet position. That was the reason I returned to Congress. I worked hard and ensured the party’s victory in Bhongir, but the reward went to turncoats and junior leaders,” he said.

While he reiterated that he was not lobbying for posts, Reddy asserted that a ministerial role would accelerate much-needed development in his Munugode constituency.

“People want positions to amass wealth, I want Munugode’s development. If needed, I am ready to resign,” he declared.

Sharp criticism of Revanth Reddy’s leadership style

The MLA did not mince words in criticizing CM Revanth Reddy, whom he accused of promoting a “personal empire” within the Congress party.

Reddy took exception to Revanth’s earlier statement that he would remain Chief Minister for 10 years, calling it “undemocratic” and contrary to the Congress party’s ethos. “Congress chooses leaders through democratic means. Revanth’s statement goes against that tradition. He is trying to run the party like a monarchy,” Rajagopal said.

Party insiders suggest that Rajagopal Reddy’s exclusion from the state cabinet may be due to internal calculations. His elder brother, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, already holds a cabinet portfolio, and there appears to be resistance from Revanth Reddy against appointing multiple members from the same family or caste group.

This has triggered speculation of an internal tug-of-war within Telangana Congress, with social media users split—some praising Rajagopal for his bold stance, while others back Revanth’s authority as essential to the party’s revival.

What lies ahead? Rajagopal Reddy’s public outburst and veiled resignation threat signal growing unrest within the Congress party’s Telangana unit. Whether this forces a course correction within the party or pushes Reddy toward another political gamble remains to be seen. For now, his statements have put the Congress leadership on notice and added fuel to the ongoing intra-party tensions.