Two years on, TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud bets on Congress momentum

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TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

After completing two years as Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, Mahesh Kumar Goud says Congress government’s performance, caste survey and job creation will help counter BRS and BJP challenges as he speaks about strengthening its organisation, expanding welfare delivery and maintaining unity as it prepares for future electoral battles in this interview. Excerpts:

What is your strategy to retain public confidence, maintain unity and strengthen the Congress as the BRS seeks a comeback and the BJP looks to expand its footprint?

We do not believe the BJP has much scope for growth in Telangana, given the State’s social fabric and political history. People here have traditionally rejected communal politics.

As for the BRS, its 10-year rule has been thoroughly exposed. Allegations relating to corruption, land issues and governance failures have emerged, and people have not forgotten what happened during its tenure.

Our focus is on governance and delivering on promises. The welfare and development programmes implemented during the last two-and-a-half years will strengthen public confidence in the Congress. We won more than 63 seats in the last Assembly election, and we are confident of improving our performance in the future.

What do you consider your biggest achievement in strengthening the party?

When the Congress came to power, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was PCC president and I was working president. The coordination between us played a key role in bringing the party back to power.

After taking charge as PCC president in September 2024, my focus has been on strengthening the organisation at all levels. One of our major achievements has been the caste survey. It fulfilled a long-standing demand of our leader Rahul Gandhi and was carried out in a scientific manner. The findings were tabled in the Assembly and forwarded to the Centre where it is pending.

We won two by-elections and secured strong support in local body elections winning 75-80% posts. Telangana PCC is today regarded as one of the most active party units in the country. Through the ‘Connect Centre’ at Gandhi Bhavan, we can communicate with more than 50 lakh party workers at once across TG.

Your government has been in office for nearly three years, how do you assess its performance?

Our priorities have been education, healthcare and welfare. Schemes such as free fine-quality rice, Indiramma housing, new ration cards, enhanced assistance under Rythu Bharosa and 200 units of free electricity have benefited a large section of the population.

We believe we have moved faster in implementing welfare schemes and development programmes when compared to BRS. If around 60,000 government jobs were filled during the 10-year rule of BRS government, we have provided more than 80,000 government jobs within two years.

Major investment commitments were obtained through global summits and international outreach programmes which are expected to generate employment opportunities.

What would you say to those who feel the pace of promised change has been slow?

Most of our commitments have either been fulfilled or are under implementation. We inherited a debt burden exceeding ₹8 lakh crore, which requires significant expenditure towards repayments and interest every month.

Despite these financial constraints, we have implemented nearly 80% of our promises. In urban governance, several initiatives are under way. The Fourth City project is a major long-term initiative aimed at transforming Hyderabad into a globally competitive urban centre.

Do you think the Konda Surekha episode has affected the party?

Konda Surekha is a senior leader who comes from the Backward Classes community and has won several elections. The Congress is a democratic party that encourages freedom of expression. At the same time, when certain lines are crossed, the party will take action as it happened in this case.

The controversy surrounding Section 22A lands has created anxiety among people. How can the government address these concerns?

The issue dates back nearly two decades. The government has not imposed any new restrictions. The present situation is largely based on legal and judicial directions. The Revenue Minister has already explained the matter in detail in the Assembly. I have requested the Chief Minister and Cabinet colleagues to evolve a mechanism that ensures genuine landowners and eligible pattadars are not adversely affected. The government is committed to providing justice to those with legitimate claims.

There is a perception that ministers and party leaders often remain silent until the Chief Minister responds to Opposition criticism.

To some extent, that perception may be valid. However, the PCC has responded on many occasions whenever the Opposition has made allegations or spread misinformation. Ministers respond to issues related to their portfolios. The Chief Minister, as head of the government, has overall authority, therefore, he often takes the lead in responding to several issues.

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