Congress Appoints BM Sandeep as AICC In-Charge for Telangana

With senior party leader Rahul Gandhi in the city, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Saturday, November 14, appointed BM Sandeep in place of Meenakshi Natarajan as its in-charge for Telangana with immediate effect. This settles speculation over Natarajan’s replacement, which began after reports emerged that she might move abroad for higher studies. In a press note, the AICC wrote, “The Honourable Congress President has appointed Shri BM Sandeep as the AICC In-charge of Telangana, with immediate effect.” “The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing AICC In-charge Ms Meenakshi Natarajan,” it added. Sandeep will oversee the party’s organisational affairs in Telangana. His appointment comes amid organisational challenges within the state Congress and ahead of upcoming electoral contests. Meanwhile, earlier this week the AICC leadership in New Delhi sought a detailed report on the growing internal differences within the state unit, with several party leaders coming under the scanner, reported the Times of India . It quoted sources in the party as saying that PCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud submitted a report on leaders who allegedly made statements against party leaders in public and to the media. AICC general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal had sought the report following growing concerns over internal differences among senior Congress leaders in the state.