Hyderabad: Konda Surekha accused CM Revanth Reddy indulging in blackmail politics on Thursday. She was dismissed from the Congress party.

The AICC had earlier approved Konda Surekha’s removal from the Telangana Cabinet, ending nearly two weeks of political drama in the State. The Chief Minister’s Office said Reddy had decided to drop Surekha from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect after consultations with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. A formal recommendation for her removal was subsequently sent to the Governor.

She said it was painful that she was removed without being given any reason. CM Revanth Reddy of resorting to blackmail politics to force her removal, she accused. Congress high command was not in favour of sacking her, she added.

Speaking to the media persons she said that she had committed no wrongdoing and was not given an opportunity to present her side before being removed from the Council of Ministers. High Command has no intention to remove me. I know that 100%. She alleged that Revanth Reddy indulged in blackmail politics saying he would go if I am not removed.

I don’t feel bad today that I lost the Cabinet post. But, I am not able to digest that I was removed without being informed and without giving reasons. The responsibility is on AICC and also CM to answer that, she said.

She alleged that the action was taken against her out of vindictiveness over critical comments made by her daughter, Sushmita, against CM and other Congress leaders. She also took a swipe at Revanth Reddy’s claim that he would continue as CM in the next term and announce candidates for the next Assembly elections.

She asserted that she and her husband had built their political careers through hard work. She belongs to a BC community, expressed confidence that they would continue to enjoy public support. The Minister’s post is only like an ornament for us. Earlier, I had quit on my own, she added.

CM Revanth Reddy decided to rescind the appointment of G Chinna Reddy as VC of the Telangana Planning Board with immediate effect. Gadwal Vijayalakshmi has been appointed as his replacement. He has also approved the appointment of Nerella Sharada as Chairperson of the Telangana State Commission for Women and former Rajya Sabha member G Sudha Rani as Chairperson of the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA).