Konda Surekha’s ‘commission’ remark and clarification

Telangana Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha ignited a major political controversy on Thursday with her candid remarks during a public event in Warangal. Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony for a government girls’ junior college, Surekha suggested that some ministers demand bribes to clear official files.

Don’t give me commission: Konda Surekha

“Since I am the Forest Minister, companies approach me for file clearances. Usually, ministers take money for such approvals. I tell them, ‘You don’t need to give me even a paisa; instead, do social service like building a school,’” she said. Surekha added that a company had agreed to construct the Rs 4.5 crore college building following her appeal.

30% commission govt: KTR

Her comments quickly drew fire from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with party working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) seizing the moment to launch a sharp attack on the ruling Congress government.

Taking to social media on Friday, KTR wrote, “Congratulations to Konda Surekha garu for finally speaking some truths. This is a 30% commission government, where ministers, as per their own colleague, won’t clear files without a hefty cut.”

He accused the Congress of operating a “commission sarkaar” and referenced a recent protest by contractors inside the Secretariat as proof of corruption under the current regime.

KTR also challenged Surekha to “name and shame” the ministers involved and questioned whether Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy or Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would launch an inquiry into the allegations.

Echoing KTR’s remarks, BRS MLA K.P. Vivekanand claimed a “Telangana Premier League” of corruption was underway, suggesting that Surekha’s statements validated long-standing accusations about bribe-fueled governance under Congress.

Surekha’s clarification

In a damage-control move, Surekha issued a clarification on Friday, claiming her remarks had been distorted and were actually aimed at the previous BRS government, not the current Congress-led administration. “Some people completely twisted my words. I was referring to ministers from the previous BRS regime,” she said. Despite her clarification, the controversy continues to escalate, further fueling the bitter rivalry between the BRS and Congress. Surekha, no stranger to contentious statements, was previously involved in a high-profile defamation case in 2024 following allegations against KTR.