KC Venugopal and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy discuss Telangana political situation, bypoll and DCC appointments

The Congress high command on Saturday (October 25) held a series of crucial discussions with Telangana leaders, focusing on key State-related issues, including recent controversies surrounding ministers, the upcoming Jubilee Hills byelection, and the local body elections.

The meetings by AICC general secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal, were primarily convened to finalise the names of the district Congress committee (DCC) presidents, but also turned into a broader review of the political developments in Telangana.

Mr. Venugopal held individual meetings with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, during which each leader expressed their opinions on the shortlisted candidates for various DCCs and municipal corporations. The AICC observers had earlier submitted reports after extensive consultations with local cadres in all districts.

Sources said that the AICC will finalise the DCC list after considering the views of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the TPCC chief. However, the meeting also delved into recent controversies involving ministers that have provided ammunition to the Opposition parties. The Congress high command is said to have expressed concern over the public spat among some ministers, which the Opposition has used to allege lack of cohesion in the State Cabinet.

The Jubilee Hills byelection, which is being viewed as a mini-referendum on the Revanth Reddy government’s performance, also figured prominently in the talks. The Chief Minister reportedly briefed Mr. Venugopal on the ground situation, expressing confidence that the Congress would take the seat comfortably.

He is also said to have highlighted the positive public response to the government’s decision to pursue 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs), a move that has reportedly strengthened the party’s position in rural Telangana.

After the deliberations, both Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka and Mr. Mahesh Kumar Goud spoke briefly to the media but refrained from divulging details about the discussions. There was no official word on when the final list of DCC presidents would be announced, though party insiders indicated that the AICC has already reached a conclusion based on the observers’ field reports.

The CM and other leaders will return to Hyderabad on Sunday.