‘Don’t undermine Cong, its core values’

In a candid conversation with Metro India, Senior Congress leader Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, a veteran of the Telangana statehood movement and a staunch party loyalist, opened up about his growing concerns regarding Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent statements and governance style.

Reddy, who has served as an MP and MLA, emphasized his commitment to the Congress party's democratic ethos while critiquing what he sees as authoritarian tendencies creeping into the state leadership. This interview sheds light on internal party dynamics in Telangana, where the Congress ousted the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in 2023, only to face new challenges from within

Why do you find CM Revanth Reddy’s statements about staying CM for another ten years and calling himself a “King” problematic?

Rajgopal Reddy: Thank you for the opportunity to clarify my position. These frequent utterances by CM Revanth Reddy—that he will remain Chief Minister for another decade and that he is the "King"—are deeply troubling. They undermine the very democratic principles that define the Congress party. Our party has always operated on the foundation of collective decision-making. Assertions like these go directly against the high command, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress selects its Chief Ministers based on the will of the elected representatives and through consensus-building. No one in the Congress can declare themselves a lifetime CM. It's against the basic tenets of our party and the core democratic values that Kharge-ji and Rahul Gandhi practice and preach every day. This kind of self-proclamation erodes the trust in our leadership structure and sets a dangerous precedent.

You mention no personal enmity. What motivates your criticism then?

Rajgopal Reddy: Let me be clear: I have no personal enmity against Revanth Reddy, nor do I have any axe to grind. My concerns stem from a deep loyalty to the Congress and the people of Telangana. I actively participated in the Telangana statehood movement—it was a struggle born out of the aspirations of our people. Through the sweat and blood of Congress party workers, leaders, and grassroots supporters, we fought against the authoritarian rule of the BRS government under K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR).

It was the blessings of the majority of Telangana's people that dislodged the BRS and brought Congress to power. It pains me immensely to see Revanth Reddy behaving in ways reminiscent of KCR, which is harming the Congress not just in the state but at the national level. My goal is to protect the party's integrity and ensure it remains true to its roots.

Have you raised these issues internally? What steps have you taken to address them?

Rajgopal Reddy: Yes, I've approached the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TG PCC) Chief Mahesh Kumar Goud and the party in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan. I've urged them to restrain Revanth from making such statements, as they are lowering the prestige of the Congress. My main concern is to safeguard the interests of the Congress in the state and instill confidence among our leaders and cadre.

The Congress leaders and cadre who sacrificed so much during the BRS regime—facing repression, arrests, and hardships—are now being intentionally kept away from the government. This sidelining is demoralizing. A majority of them are unhappy that Revanth is encouraging those who parachuted in from other parties, especially the erstwhile Telugu Desam Party (TDP). It's creating divisions where there should be unity.

You bring up the Telangana statehood movement. How does the current situation tie back to that historical fight?

Rajgopal Reddy: The people who fought tooth and nail to secure a separate Telangana state—against the dominance of Andhra rulers and contractors—are shocked to see the same Andhra lobby and contractors dictating terms now. It's a betrayal of the movement's spirit. Congress leaders and cadre are dismayed that CM Revanth Reddy, who promised stern action against the BRS government, KCR, his son K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), and others involved in corruption, has done nothing to punish the guilty.

He spoke loudly about massive scams in projects like the Outer Ring Road (ORR) works, the Kaleshwaram irrigation project, and a host of others. But what concrete action has he taken to book the culprits? This inaction is baffling to all Congress leaders and activists. We expected accountability, not excuses. The people of Telangana deserve justice after years of mismanagement under BRS.

What's your direct appeal to the Congress high command in this regard?

Rajgopal Reddy: My appeal to the Congress high command is straightforward: Restrain Revanth from making remarks and statements that could prove to be a liability for the party. In line with Congress policy and the vision of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge-ji, more opportunities should be given to Backward Classes (BCs). If Revanth Reddy insists he will be CM for the next ten years, it directly contradicts the Congress principle and policy of inclusive, rotational leadership. We cannot allow one person's ambitions to overshadow the collective will. The high command must intervene to restore balance and ensure that the party's democratic processes are respected.

Looking ahead, what are your personal endeavors in this context? How do you see your role in protecting the party's future in Telangana?

Rajgopal Reddy: My endeavor has always been to protect the interests of the people in Telangana, especially the poor and the marginalized. I want to keep the Congress flag flying high and do justice to the Congress leaders and cadre who suffered immensely during the BRS regime. 

We need to give importance to the original Congress leaders and cadre who continue to suffer despite our party coming to power in the state. These are the foot soldiers who built the movement—they shouldn't be relegated to the side-lines while newcomers reap the benefits. I continue to stand by the people, protect the interests of the Congress, and value the party's basic democratic values, ethos, and practices. If we stray from these, we risk losing the trust we've earned. Telangana's future depends on a strong, united Congress that prioritizes equity and accountability.