Hyderabad, Telangana:
Barely two-and-a-half years after storming to power in Telangana, the Congress government is now facing growing anger from its own cadre and mounting criticism over what many describe as a complete disconnect between the leadership and grassroots workers. The party, which rode to victory on massive anti-incumbency against K. Chandrashekar Rao and the BRS regime, is now being accused of repeating the very mistakes it once attacked.
Congress had swept large parts of Telangana — except Hyderabad and Rangareddy — by promising “Praja Palana” and a welfare-driven administration. Farmers’ loan waivers, Rythu Bharosa, free RTC travel for women, 200 units of free electricity, and enhanced pensions became the party’s biggest weapons during the elections. But political observers say the victory was driven more by public anger against BRS than blind faith in Congress promises.
Initially, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and ministers actively met people and projected an image of accessibility. That image, however, is rapidly collapsing. Congress workers themselves are now openly complaining that even longtime loyalists cannot get appointments with ministers, MLAs, or senior leaders. “The government has become inaccessible even to its own cadre,” angry party workers allege.
Serious allegations are also surfacing from within Congress circles that sensitive government information from the Secretariat, ministers’ offices, and departments is reaching BRS leaders within minutes. Insiders claim several officials and staffers who were considered extremely close to K. T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao during the previous regime continue to operate in influential positions. This, Congress insiders fear, is giving the opposition a strategic advantage in targeting the government on every issue.
The government’s financial situation is also coming under intense scrutiny. Delays and confusion surrounding Rythu Bharosa payments and paddy procurement support are fueling criticism that the administration lacks the funds to implement its flagship promises effectively. Shockingly, even Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy publicly hinted that the government may eventually have to choose between loan waivers and Rythu Bharosa — a statement that triggered massive political controversy.
Meanwhile, the stunning political developments in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have sparked fresh debates across regional parties, but Congress leaders in Telangana appear unmoved, according to frustrated party workers. Senior leaders within the party are now warning that unless the government reconnects with the public and cadre immediately, dissatisfaction could spiral into a major political crisis
.The biggest question now haunting Telangana Congress is simple: the party came to power promising “people’s governance” — but has it already drifted too far away from the people?
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