Have no intention of quitting Cong, asserts Konda Murali

Hyderabad: Konda Murali has reaffirmed that he and his wife, former Minister Konda Surekha, have no intention of leaving the Congress party, while distancing themselves from remarks made by their daughter.

Speaking at a meeting of Congress workers in Warangal on Sunday, Murali responded to the party high command’s decision to remove Surekha from the State Cabinet. He said the couple would continue to remain with the Congress and rejected reports that he was considering switching parties.

“Konda Surekha and I stand by the same stance, while our daughter has a different view. We have nothing to do with our child’s comments. I do not know what her ‘Plan B’ is,” Murali said.

Recalling Rahul Gandhi’s padayatra, Murali said the Congress leader had campaigned for their victory and questioned how they could leave the party after receiving his support.

“Rahul Gandhi undertook a padayatra for our victory. How could we possibly leave the Congress? Gratitude is in our blood. We will fight until Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister,” he said.

Murali also spoke about the controversy surrounding remarks made by their daughter, Konda Sushmita, and explained why Surekha had not publicly responded to the issue. He said that although he considered their daughter’s remarks personal, he had advised Surekha to apologise to the Congress party. “I even pleaded with her to submit a written apology, but she did not agree,” Murali said.

Emphasising the importance of personal values, he said, “It is not about how long we live, but how we live that matters. We stand by our word. Positions come and go, but character sustains us.”

Murali said neither he nor Surekha had entered politics with the expectation of securing official positions. He rejected reports that he was planning to switch parties and said he would continue serving the people while remaining in the Congress.

Recalling his association with the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Murali said they had never chased power. He claimed that after YSR’s death, they discarded the resignation letter relating to the ministerial position that had been given to them at Pavuralagutta.

“If we place our trust in someone, we remain loyal; otherwise, we do not,” he said, adding that Congress workers were both his “strength and weakness.”

Murali also challenged his political opponents to prove allegations of land grabbing against him.

“I challenge anyone to prove that I have been involved in land grabbing. If it is proved, I will quit politics,” he declared.

Murali reiterated that he and Surekha would remain committed to the Congress and continue their political activities in accordance with the party’s direction.

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The Hans India