A rift has emerged between Telangana PCC chief Revanth Reddy and political strategist Sunil Kanugolu, causing turbulence within the Congress party. Sunil Kanugolu, who played a pivotal role in securing Congress’ victory in the Karnataka Assembly elections, was initially favored by Revanth Reddy for his impressive track record. However, the alliance has hit a rough patch, leading to speculations about their strained relationship.
The root of the problem stems from controversial remarks made by Revanth Reddy during his recent United States tour. His statements, particularly regarding free electricity to the agricultural sector and the announcement of a CM candidate, had a detrimental impact on the party’s reputation. Senior party members, including Komatireddy and Bhatti, expressed disappointment and concern over these comments.
Blaming Sunil Kanugolu for inadequate damage control in the aftermath of the free electricity controversy, Revanth further exacerbated the situation. Reports suggest that Sunil grew increasingly frustrated with Revanth’s unwarranted interference in strategizing for the party. Moreover, Revanth’s insistence on receiving positive reports for candidates closely aligned with him added to the growing tensions.
The situation reached a tipping point when Sunil Kanugolu reportedly left for Bengaluru without informing anyone in the Telangana Congress and has been avoiding communication. In response, the Congress high command has been informed of the developments and is exploring alternative options.
One possible replacement for Sunil Kanugolu is former IAS officer Shashikanth Senthil, who joined the Congress party after resigning from his position in 2019.
Senthil has previously spearheaded the party’s campaign in Tamil Nadu elections, achieving moderate success. The final decision on a new strategist rests with Telangana Congress in-charge Manikarao Thakre and Revanth Reddy. An official announcement is anticipated in the coming week, as the party hopes that this change will help resolve internal conflicts and strengthen their prospects in the forthcoming elections.