Nizamabad: BRS senior leader and former MLA Jeevan Reddy on Sunday accused Telangana Congress in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan of overstepping her role by conducting review meetings at the state Secretariat, claiming she is functioning as a “shadow Chief Minister.” He questioned her authority to hold official meetings in the government premises instead of confining her activities to the Congress party headquarters.
Addressing a press conference in Nizamabad, Jeevan Reddy took a dig at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, alleging that he has been reduced to a nominal figure operating from the Command Control Centre, while critical decisions are being influenced by external forces. He claimed that ever since Congress came to power in the state, “extra-constitutional forces” have been playing a dominant role in governance.
He further alleged that AICC leadership views Revanth Reddy as a covert BJP sympathizer and that Rahul Gandhi himself does not trust him. “That is why he has been sidelined, and Meenakshi Natarajan has been sent as an emissary to keep him in check,” Jeevan Reddy claimed.
Questioning her official standing, he said, “The Secretariat is meant for the Chief Minister and state ministers. Why is Meenakshi Natarajan conducting meetings there instead of at Gandhi Bhavan? This is highly irregular.”
Jeevan Reddy went on to accuse the Chief Minister of forming an undeclared alliance with the BJP to safeguard his position. “In the name of protecting the CM’s chair, the Congress leadership has joined hands with the BJP. Revanth Reddy struck a deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following which the state government is now preparing to sell lands belonging to universities in Telangana,” he said.
He alleged that BJP leaders such as G. Kishan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay, and Dharmapuri Arvind are acting as “a protective shield” for the Congress Chief Minister. He also claimed that the Congress party has compromised Telangana’s self-respect in Delhi.
Jeevan Reddy said people are now regretting electing the Congress to power and are beginning to realise the significance of BRS as a party rooted in the aspirations of Telangana. “Most of the promises made by Congress during the election campaign remain unfulfilled. Indiramma Rajyam has become a graveyard for assurances,” he said.
He also alleged that Revanth Reddy had extended support to the BJP-backed candidate in the recent Teachers’ MLC elections, stating, “The CM has a history of being up for sale, and the recent MLC election is yet another example.”
On the issue of Hyderabad Central University (HCU) land, Jeevan Reddy warned the government against proceeding with any sale. “If any private party attempts to purchase HCU land, BRS will take it back when it returns to power,” he said, referring to an earlier statement by K.T. Rama Rao. He alleged a broader conspiracy to sell lands belonging to colleges following the disposal of university lands.
The BRS leader reiterated that the people of Telangana see KCR as a symbol of trust, while Revanth Reddy and Modi are viewed as symbols of political compromise.