Even as the Congress party has completed two years office in Telangana, groupism within the party continues in different parts of Telangana, particularly in the undivided Warangal district, irritating the party leadership.
The longstanding rivalry between state endowments minister Konda Surekha and the district Congress leadership has resurfaced, once again becoming a subject of intense local debate.
Though Surekha, elected from the Warangal East constituency and inducted into the state cabinet, is expected to work collectively with district leaders, the latest developments indicate continuing discord.
Local party leaders allege that the minister is functioning independently, disregarding the broader organisational framework.
The tensions became public again on Tuesday during the celebration of Sonia Gandhi’s birthday.
Instead of a unified Congress event, two separate programmes were organised—one by the district Congress leadership and another by Konda Surekha’s supporters.
The district leadership, under newly appointed Warangal District Congress Committee president Ayub, conducted a grand celebration at Pochamma Maidan junction.
Senior leaders associated with the district Congress, including MLC Baswaraju Saraiah and former district president Errabelli Swarna, participated in large numbers. Notably, Surekha’s faction did not attend this programme.
Instead, the minister’s supporters held their own event at the railway station premises, featuring cake-cutting and an “annadanam” (free meal) programme.
The banners displayed at the venue prominently carried Surekha’s images but omitted the name of the district Congress president, which many leaders viewed as a deliberate slight.
Local Congress leaders say the minister’s unilateral actions reflect a “one-woman show” mentality and disregard for party discipline.
They argue that although the party high command has repeatedly given opportunities to Surekha, she has not demonstrated collective leadership.
Senior leaders privately express frustration that her behaviour is causing avoidable tension within the district unit.
They fear that the current internal truce is temporary and could soon erupt into open rebellion, as many leaders remain dissatisfied.