Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, known for repeatedly criticising Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over being denied a cabinet berth, has suddenly changed his tone. Whether this shift stems from Konda Surekha’s dismissal from the cabinet, or from a calculation that staying on good terms with the Chief Minister could improve his chances amid signals of an impending cabinet expansion, remains unclear. His abrupt reversal, however, has become a talking point in political circles.
Rajagopal Reddy had previously been vocal in his criticism, alleging that Pocharam Srinivas Reddy — who won on a BRS ticket before switching to Congress — lacked judgement, and going further to claim that Revanth Reddy himself lacked judgement for inducting him into the party. He had, on multiple occasions, spoken out against both the party and the Chief Minister, establishing himself as a persistent critic of the Revanth government. That sharp edge has now visibly softened.
Against the backdrop of recent developments following Konda Surekha’s removal from the cabinet, Rajagopal Reddy appears to have reined in his remarks considerably. Notably, he has now claimed that he never criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at all — a statement that has itself become a subject of discussion.
Speaking to the media during Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s visit to Nakrekal in Nalgonda district, Rajagopal Reddy said he had never criticised the Chief Minister and had only differed with him on one or two issues, adding that he had no differences whatsoever with Revanth Reddy. Notably, while he had previously complained that funds were not reaching his constituency, he now claimed that Munugode had received funds on par with Kodangal and Madhira, citing an allocation of ₹2,000 crore for his constituency. He further stated that he would attend the Chief Minister’s public meeting with thousands of party workers, and added, with interest, that the final decision on cabinet reorganisation rested entirely with the party high command.
The shift is being widely linked to the fallout from Konda Surekha’s earlier remarks against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, along with recent controversial comments made by her daughter, Konda Sushmitha, which led to the Congress high command dismissing her from the cabinet. The episode appears to have sent a clear signal to other critics within the party that criticising the Chief Minister could invite similar consequences — a warning widely believed to be behind Rajagopal Reddy’s sudden change of stance.