Revanth Reddy–Rahul Gandhi meeting fails to quell gap rumors

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s recent meeting with Congress Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior party leaders, has done little to dispel speculation of a growing rift between the two leaders.

Photographs and wide gap

While official photographs projected a cordial atmosphere, political observers note that the meeting may have done more to highlight the underlying strains than resolve them.

Held at Kharge’s residence in New Delhi, the high-level meeting featured Revanth Reddy presenting details of Telangana’s SEEEPC (Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political, and Caste) survey. The initiative led to the passage of two bills increasing reservations for Backward Classes (BC) to 42% in education, employment, and local governance. Reddy emphasized the Telangana model as a blueprint for nationwide social justice reforms—a view that both Rahul Gandhi and Kharge publicly endorsed.

The Congress party released statements reinforcing this alignment, quoting Reddy: “The entire country must adopt the Telangana model in social justice.” Yet, despite the messaging, there was no private meeting between Reddy and Rahul Gandhi—a fact that has not gone unnoticed within party and media circles.

Persistent strains

Sources within the party suggest Rahul Gandhi remains wary of Revanth Reddy’s leadership approach, citing his tendency to operate independently and occasionally deviate from the central party narrative. The absence of a one-on-one interaction in the past year has only amplified perceptions of mistrust.

Tensions date back to multiple flashpoints. Among them was Reddy’s controversial comment during Operation Sindoor. Adding to the discomfort was Reddy’s now-famous self-description: “I came from a BJP school, TDP college, and now work for Rahul Gandhi.” While intended humorously, it was interpreted by some as a subtle assertion of independence, unsettling the party’s central leadership.

Communication gap and Power dynamics

In April 2025, Revanth Reddy sought to downplay reports of a strained relationship, stating, “I have a good relationship with Rahul Gandhi. There is no gap, and there’s no need to prove it.” Yet the continued absence of personal engagement, especially when other regional leaders like Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah enjoy greater access to Rahul, continues to raise eyebrows.

Despite the internal friction, the Congress leadership continues to project unity. Rahul Gandhi and Kharge have publicly endorsed the Telangana model, and Reddy has invited Rahul to attend a public event celebrating the success of the caste survey—a move seen as an attempt to strengthen public optics of alignment. However, the failure to address private tensions could have consequences for the party’s strategy in Telangana. As a key figure in Congress’s efforts to counter the BRS and BJP in the state, Revanth Reddy’s influence is critical. Political analysts warn that unresolved leadership dynamics could undercut the party’s momentum ahead of the 2029 general elections, especially with Reddy framing the OBC reservation issue as a national “litmus test.”