Congress circles in Telangana are discussing a major change. The state may soon have a new in-charge. The Congress High Command wants a leader who can mobilise the party from grassroots level before Assembly elections.
Names like Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Bhagel, and Rawat are being considered. Senior leaders with on-ground experience are being preferred. Internal gaps in Telangana Congress are also pushing the High Command towards this decision.
This move is likely to be part of AICC reorganisation. Meenakshi Natarajan became Telangana in-charge in February 2025. After the Graduate MLC elections, where the party lost, Meenakhi reviewed the situation and found coordination issues.
She found a major gap between state-level and grassroots leaders. She warned everyone to follow party rules. The gap was stronger in constituencies where MLAs joined from other parties. Coordination remained weak despite her caution.
There was also a rift between Ministers Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Konda Surekha. The issue seems to have cooled down now. However, Meenakshi Natarajan was disappointed with how state leaders handled the situation.
Congress insiders claim she is unhappy with the coordination between the CM and the party. Grassroots workers are said to be unprepared to move the party forward. She is also having issues with a leading leader, sources say.
As part of the reorganisation, new in-charges will be appointed. Rajasthan ex CM Ashok Gehlot, Uttarakhand ex CM Harish Rawat, or Chattisgarh ex CM Bhupesh Bhagel are being considered to replace Meenakshi Natarajan.
Bhagel is currently in charge of Punjab, where he is working to mend internal differences. Ashok Gehlot is focusing on projecting Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan. The party may shift him to Telangana to manage the state unit.
Meenakshi Natarajan is expected to be moved to Maharashtra. Final decisions will likely be taken in the New Year, say Telangana Congress sources.
