Hyderabad: Telangana Congress in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan is facing internal resistance from senior party leaders, who have lodged a formal complaint with the All India Congress Committee (AICC), urging her removal from the position. Citing her style of functioning as detrimental to both the party and the state government, the leaders conveyed their concerns directly to the party high command.
A major point of contention stems from Natarajan’s handling of the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) land issue. Senior leaders have expressed displeasure over her decision to conduct a review meeting on the matter from Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s chamber in the Secretariat and subsequently interacting with university students. They allege that her actions have provided an opportunity for the opposition to mount criticism against the Congress government.
Party sources suggest that Natarajan’s approach of treating all leaders equally has irked senior members, who feel sidelined. The leaders have reportedly expressed disappointment over their suggestions being ignored, sparking debates within Gandhi Bhavan about the effectiveness of her leadership.
Natarajan, considered a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, was entrusted with the responsibility of strengthening the party in Telangana and protecting the Congress government following its return to power. The high command had appointed her with the expectation of ensuring organizational cohesion and justice to grassroots workers.
With senior leaders openly expressing dissatisfaction, the question of whether Meenakshi Natarajan will continue as the party in-charge has become a subject of intense political speculation in Telangana. The Congress leadership is expected to take a call soon on the matter.