Uncertainty Persists Over Selection of New Chief Minister as Congress Fails to Reach Consensus

In its typical fashion, consensus eluded the Congress, leaving the selection of the next Congress Legislature Party leader and Chief Minister in Telangana in a state of uncertainty.

Despite securing its first electoral victory in the state with the election of 64 new MLAs, the Congress spent the entire first day post-results gathered at a hotel in Gachibowli. However, efforts to reach a decision were stymied as trouble-shooter and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shiva Kumar hastily flew to New Delhi without a resolution. Shiva Kumar is expected to convey the preferences of the 64 elected MLAs to the Congress high command.

Interestingly, Shiva Kumar earlier informed the media that the CLP meeting had empowered AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to choose the CLP leader. A resolution to this effect, moved by Revanth Reddy and supported by other top contenders such as Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and others, had been unanimously passed. This led to widespread speculation that Revanth Reddy would be chosen as the new Chief Minister, potentially with a swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan scheduled for 8:30 pm on Monday. However, as the day progressed, officials at Raj Bhavan awaited instructions, and confusion arose as the gubernatorial office remained uninformed about the final decision.

In a sudden turn of events in the evening, some media reports indicated a lack of consensus among senior leaders on the Chief Minister selection. There were even claims that top contenders like Bhatti Vikarmarka, Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Venkat Reddy had walked out of the meeting. Social media platforms buzzed with discussions, with some urging Rahul Gandhi to intervene and avoid the usual drama associated with Congress Chief Minister selection.

When questioned about the Chief Minister selection, AICC observer Ajoy Kumar stated that details would be disclosed soon after meeting with all MLAs. On the specific choice of Revanth Reddy as the new Chief Minister, Ajoy Kumar refrained from confirmation, stating that the opinions of all MLAs were under consideration, and a decision would be made shortly.

Later, it was revealed that the Congress high command had summoned Shiva Kumar to Delhi. Before the CLP meeting, Shiva Kumar reportedly held a meeting with senior leaders in another hotel in the city, attended by figures like Uttam Kumar Reddy and Bhatti Vikramarka. In addition to newly elected MLAs, AICC Telangana incharge Manickrao Thakare, AICC observers, and other senior leaders participated in the CLP meeting. The Telangana Congress leaders are expected to approach the Governor after the high command's decision, which is anticipated either late on Monday night or on Tuesday.