Hans News Service Hyderabad

Reactingon a malicious campaign launched by a TV channel targeting him, PCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud on Saturday ruled out change in leadership of the Telangana Congress unit.

He asserted that any such decision rests solely with the All India Congress Committee (AICC), while dismissing criticism and media speculation against him.

Speaking during an informal interaction with the media in Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday, Mahesh Goud said party workers and the AICC leadership were the appropriate authorities to assess his performance as TPCC chief.

“The high command has the final authority on any changes in PCC leadership. I was appointed PCC chief because the party believed I was the right person for the responsibility,” he said.

Claiming that the AICC leadership has confidence in him, Mahesh Goud stated that Congress general secretary KC Venugopal had congratulated him on several occasions for his work.

The TPCC chief alleged that some individuals were uncomfortable with the coordination between him and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

“I will not be intimidated simply because a particular TV channel expresses its opinion. One channel running a campaign against me does not make it the ultimate truth,” he remarked, while reiterating his respect for press freedom.

On party affairs, the TPCC chief revealed that the names of proposed working presidents had already been sent to the AICC and that appointments would be announced soon.

He also clarified that the proposed Telangana Cabinet expansion would be handled directly by the Chief Minister and that he would have no role in the process.

Mahesh Goud also clarified that Gandhi Bhavan belonged to the party trust and dismissed reports and rumours targeting him, saying he would not waste time responding to “trivial matters.”

On the proposed “Future City” project, the TPCC chief defended the Congress government’s vision, stating that the project would become a model for the entire country. He accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of lacking foresight and failing to expand Hyderabad during its tenure.

“Development happens only when a city expands. Is Harish Rao suggesting that Hyderabad does not require further development,” he asked, criticising senior BRS leader T Harish Rao for opposing the initiative.

Mahesh Goud further alleged that the Central government was adopting a “step-motherly attitude” towards Telangana. At the same time, he said the Congress government was continuing welfare schemes introduced by the previous administration, drawing a comparison with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.