Telangana Congress likely to get four working presidents amid social balancing

The Congress high command is expected to appoint four working presidents for the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) by the end of this month, as part of an exercise to strengthen the party organisation while ensuring social and political balance. The move has received broad approval from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), with discussions focused on representation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, and forward castes.

The issue was discussed at a recent Congress Coordination Committee meeting chaired by AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan in New Delhi. Senior leaders examined a range of names, considering caste, region, and organisational track record. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, TPCC chief B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy attended the meeting.

Earlier, when Mr. Revanth Reddy headed the TPCC, the party had appointed five working presidents, including Mr. Mahesh Kumar Goud, former Minister J. Geetha Reddy, T. Jagga Reddy, Mohammed Azharuddin, and Anjan Kumar Yadav. The current exercise, however, is said to favour a leaner structure with four working presidents.

Among the names under consideration, former Alampur MLA and AICC secretary A.S. Sampath Kumar is emerging as a strong contender for the Scheduled Castes category. Former Union Minister and ex-Mahabubabad MP Porika Balaram Naik is reportedly being considered for representation from the Scheduled Tribe community.

For minority representation, Wakf Board Chairman Mohammed Azmathullah and former Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation Chairman S. Obaidullah Kotwal are among the names discussed. With Mr. Mahesh Kumar Goud, a Backward Classes leader, already serving as TPCC president, the leadership is looking at other social groups for the remaining positions.

For the forward caste slot, particularly from the Reddy community, party insiders mention Rohin Reddy, considered close to Mr. Revanth Reddy, and Kodad MLA N. Padmavathi Reddy, wife of Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy. The latter’s candidature is seen as potentially addressing the demand for greater representation of women in senior organisational positions.

Parallelly, the Congress is also expected to fill the long-vacant post of TPCC Campaign Committee chairman. The position has remained vacant since the 2023 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, following the tenure of former MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud. Senior leader Jagga Reddy is widely tipped for the assignment.

The organisational exercise is also linked to unresolved appointments at the district level. The party is yet to reach a consensus on district Congress committee chiefs for Rangareddy, Sangareddy, and Ramagundam City. The absence of AICC observers has delayed the process.

In addition, the Congress leadership is examining the possibility of filling key legislative positions, including those of Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip in the Telangana Assembly. While speculation continues over a Cabinet expansion to fill two vacancies, party sources suggest that decision may take longer as the leadership weighs competing political and social considerations.