Revanth's TDP template draws flak, infighting in TPCC reaches its peak

HYDERABAD: Even after losing two consecutive elections, the Congress is still plagued by internecine feuds as always. Telangana is no exception, for Congress leaders never gave a respite to infighting.

The choice of Revanth Reddy to head the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) may have shaken up and woken up the party cadres from a deep slumber following two successive defeats. He only proved to be a rabblerouser, so far. Senior leaders just didn't like him at all.

Two resignations in a space of just a week in Telangana and one more appearing on the horizon have become a cause for consternation for the Congress high command, more so for TPCC chief Revanth Reddy. Days after Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy's exit from the party, AICC spokesperson Dasoju Sravan resigned from the party on Friday.

Even Rajgopal Reddy's elder brother, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, too appears to be on his way out though he vehemently denied the speculation. These developments have triggered yet another wave of a high-decibel campaign against Revanth Reddy, raising questions once again about the former TDP strongman's style of functioning.

Ever since his elevation as the TPCC chief, Revanth Reddy has been at loggerheads with several Congress leaders of the state including its old guard. He had issues with party veteran V Hanumanth Rao besides former TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, Jagga Reddy and several others. This led to a concerted campaign by close to 100 leaders from Telangana who had complained to the party high command against Revanth Reddy in April this year.

The biggest accusation against Revanth Reddy is that he is simply imposing a "Telugu Desam Party (TDP) template" on the grand old party in the state. His capabilities, or the lack of it, in taking along leaders of all sections have been constantly under question. Some Congress leaders even quipped that Revanth Reddy wants to convert the TPCC into TDPCC.

With the intervention of the Congress high command, which is hoping for a potential revival of the party in Telangana under Revanth, the April storm was successfully blown over.

But in less than four months, the bitter infighting came to the fore once again now with the resignation episodes involving Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and Dasoju Sravan. Interestingly, Revanth Reddy was the obvious common grouse for both the leaders who ruthlessly attacked the TPCC chief and his style of working in their parting shots.

Rajgopal Reddy was miffed with the way senior leaders were being treated in the eagerness of Revanth Reddy to foster his own faction. The incisive comments of Rajgopal Reddy in the recent past showed that the TPCC chief had not only trust issues with seniors but even did not enjoy respect within.

Rajgopal Reddy had no hesitation to frequently rake up the 'cash-for-vote' scandal involving Revanth Reddy. He even questioned: "Do I really have to expend my sweat and blood to make such a person the Chief Minister?".

Interestingly, even Dasoju Sravan's posers through his resignation letter echoed similar sentiments. The former AICC spokesperson flayed Revanth Reddy for running the TPCC like his pocket borough.

In a simultaneous attack, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who was also widely believed to be deserting the party soon, vowed not to see eye to eye with Revanth Reddy ever again. He alleged that the TPCC chief deliberately brought in Cheruku Sudhakar, who he claimed, had worked for his defeat.

This also sums up the talk within the portals of the Gandhi Bhavan that the TPCC chief was using provocative tactics to force the exit of leaders who are opposing him. The Congress circles feel that this trait bears the classic imprint of the TDP's functioning, especially when it comes to smoking leaders out by obliquely declaring them 'persona non grata'.

The way Rajgopal Reddy's resignation was "celebrated" in Gandhi Bhavan by Revanth Reddy's men, including bursting of fire-crackers to give the impression that the departure of Munugode MLA was a good-riddance for the party, something that did not go down well with the old guards.

Though there is an eerie silence within the party, it is being speculated that many seniors, struggling to deal with the TPCC chief, had already started a fresh round of petitioning to the party high command. With the Munugode by-election in the offing, Revanth Reddy clearly has his task cut out due to the fresh wave of opposition. In fact, it would be interesting to see how he handles the twin tasks of fire-fighting from within and gearing up the party for the by-poll.

The Congress high command would for sure not fire Revanth reddy anytime soon, given its debilitated condition even at the Centre.