Nine Months of Turmoil in Telangana Congress
Nine months after her appointment as All India Congress Committee's (AICC) Telangana in-charge, Meenakshi Natarajan finds herself at the center of a growing rebellion within the party ranks. The former NSUI president and ex-MP, known for her close association with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, has sparked significant discontent through her leadership decisions and management style.
The controversy primarily revolves around District Congress Committee (DCC) appointments made under her supervision, which have led to several high-profile resignations and created widespread disquiet among party workers. Despite the growing opposition, Natarajan continues to enjoy the strong backing of both the Congress high command and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B Mahesh Kumar Goud.
Leadership Style Sparks Internal Rebellion
The dissatisfaction with Natarajan's leadership became particularly evident through recent resignations of prominent Congress leaders. D Y Giri, who served as party spokesperson and Dornakal constituency in-charge, resigned after being overlooked for DCC positions. Similarly, G Mohan Reddy, a Congress leader from Nalgonda, also quit the party protesting what he termed as "unfair" DCC appointments.
"Several people who were active on the ground were ignored and those who were loyal to her were rewarded. This has created trouble at the DCC and even the booth level. People have quit the party and issued statements against the AICC," revealed a Congress source familiar with the internal dynamics.
However, Natarajan's supporters defend her approach, stating that she was merely following the recommendations of AICC observers. "Those selected by AICC observers were rewarded with the DCC president position. Meenakshi Natarajan never intervened in these appointments," asserted a leader close to her.
Controversial Decisions and Political Approach
Natarajan's troubles began early in her tenure when she took positions that put her at odds with the state government. During March-April, when the Revanth Reddy government faced backlash over a proposal to clear 400 acres of land allotted to the University of Hyderabad, Natarajan sided with the campaign led by students, teachers, and civil society against the Chief Minister.
"This was the government's land, which was worth at least Rs 10,000 crore. She should have stood by the state government in its fight for legal rights over this land even during tough times," complained a senior Congress leader.
Another point of contention has been her approach to election campaigning. Critics within the party questioned her strategy during the high-profile Jubilee Hills bypoll, which the Congress ultimately won. "Everyone is an industrialist or the other in the state and the AICC in-charge thinks elections should be a low-key affair. She thought that there should be an ideological battle in Telangana, whereas the ground reality suggested that it was a battle of power, wit and money," explained a Congress leader.
The "Five-Year Rule" and Insider-Outsider Dynamics
One of the most controversial aspects of Natarajan's leadership has been her apparent insistence on a "five-year rule" for party positions. This policy allegedly favors those who can demonstrate long-term commitment to the Congress, creating what critics describe as an "insider-outsider" situation within the party.
"When such is the reality, you cannot have an AICC in-charge who insists that she will support only those who have been with the Congress for at least five years," argued a Congress leader, pointing out that even Chief Minister Revanth Reddy joined the Congress from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 2017.
Despite the criticism, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud continues to defend Natarajan. "There is no resentment against Meenakshi ji. She is an honest, highly commendable politician. Every decision taken at the state level (including DCC appointments) was based on inputs from the ground," Goud told The Indian Express.
Grassroots Efforts and Political Future
In an effort to connect with the party base, Natarajan embarked on a padayatra across Telangana in late July and early August, modeled after Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. However, the political gains from this initiative remain uncertain as the party continues to grapple with internal divisions.
Natarajan's supporters highlight her commitment to reviving and strengthening the organization at the grassroots level. They point to her reputation as an honest politician who cannot be corrupted, with one party leader describing her as "a Gandhian" who "will not sell out."
As the Telangana Congress navigates this period of internal churn, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Natarajan can overcome the resistance and successfully lead the party forward, or whether the discontent will continue to grow, potentially affecting the Congress's prospects in the state.
