Konda Surekha’s removal from the Telangana cabinet has once again put the issue of ministerial dismissals at the centre of state politics, drawing comparisons to Etela Rajender’s exit from the KCR government roughly five years ago. Etela’s removal at the time triggered major political upheaval, and Surekha’s sacking from the Revanth Reddy government is now generating similar levels of discussion.
Etela Rajender served as Health Minister in KCR’s second government but was removed following corruption allegations against him. He subsequently distanced himself from the then-TRS, eventually joined the BJP, and went on to win the Huzurabad by-election — developments that significantly reshaped Telangana’s political landscape.
Nearly five years later, a similar episode has resurfaced with a different minister. Konda Surekha, who held a women’s portfolio in Revanth Reddy’s first cabinet, has now been removed from her ministerial position. Congress sources say the action against her was taken on grounds of violating party discipline.
A notable common thread in both cases is that Etela Rajender and Konda Surekha belong to the BC community and hold strong political standing within their respective parties. While one served as Health Minister, the other held the Endowments and Forest portfolios in government. In both instances, differences with the party leadership ultimately affected their ministerial positions.
What direction Surekha’s political journey takes next remains to be seen. After his dismissal, Etela resigned his MLA position, and the events that followed went on to transform Telangana politics altogether. Speculation is already circulating that Surekha could move to the BJP, similar to Etela’s trajectory, and the fact that both leaders are BC politicians adds further political significance to the episode at a time when BC politics and social arithmetic are gaining prominence in Telangana.