Revanth Reddy Backs Rahul Gandhi as INDIA Bloc’s 2029 PM Candidate

Telangana Chief Minister pitches Rahul as face of opposition alliance while flagging voter demand for quick results

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday strongly advocated for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to be projected as the prime ministerial face of the INDIA bloc for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. He said the Congress would take the lead by announcing Rahul Gandhi’s name and then work to convince its alliance partners.

Speaking at a news conclave, Revanth Reddy made it clear that the move was not driven by any personal ambition on Rahul Gandhi’s part. “Becoming Prime Minister is not Rahul’s personal desire,” he said, adding that he had personally convinced the Congress MP to accept the responsibility during a recent meeting in Vikarabad.

The statement marks a significant intervention from a key Congress chief minister at a time when the opposition alliance is still navigating questions over leadership and strategy after recent electoral setbacks.

Allies to be Persuaded

Revanth Reddy outlined a clear sequence. The Congress, he said, would first declare Rahul Gandhi as its choice and then engage with INDIA bloc partners to build consensus. He expressed confidence that allies could be brought on board once the Congress took a firm position.

His remarks come amid competing signals within the opposition. Leaders from Trinamool Congress and DMK have earlier floated the names of Mamata Banerjee and M.K. Stalin as possible prime ministerial candidates. However, the political landscape has shifted following assembly election outcomes in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Setbacks for Regional Heavyweights

Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress was ousted from power in West Bengal after a decade in office. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK government led by M.K. Stalin also faced defeat. These developments have altered equations within the INDIA bloc, opening the door for fresh discussions on leadership.

Revanth Reddy’s pitch positions Rahul Gandhi as a unifying national figure capable of leading the alliance into the next general elections. The Telangana leader, who has emerged as one of the more assertive voices in the Congress, emphasised the need for the bloc to present a clear alternative.

‘Swiggy-Style Politics’ Concern

In a candid remark that reflected changing voter expectations, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the public’s evolving mindset towards politics. He observed that people now seek “Swiggy-style politics” — expecting instant delivery and direct results, much like quick commerce services.

This observation underscores the challenge facing political parties as voters, particularly younger demographics, demand faster governance outcomes and visible deliverables over traditional political processes.

Personal Equation with Naidu

Revanth Reddy also touched upon his own political journey. He recalled working in the Telugu Desam Party for nearly a decade and said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu still treats him with respect. Before switching to Congress, he had personally informed Naidu of his decision in Vijayawada, he added.

The reference highlights the fluid nature of political relationships in southern India and Revanth Reddy’s effort to strike a note of civility even while positioning his party strongly against the NDA.

Timing and Significance

The Telangana Chief Minister’s intervention assumes importance as the INDIA bloc looks to regroup ahead of upcoming state polls and the 2029 national contest. With Congress yet to formally announce its strategy, Revanth Reddy’s remarks could set the tone for internal discussions.

Party insiders say the focus remains on strengthening organisational machinery and presenting a coherent narrative. Rahul Gandhi has been actively touring different states and focusing on issues of unemployment, inequality, and institutional autonomy.

While reactions from other INDIA constituents are awaited, Revanth Reddy’s public backing adds momentum to the idea of Rahul Gandhi as the central face of the opposition. It also signals that Congress is keen to assert its role within the alliance rather than play a secondary part.

Political observers note that success will ultimately depend on how effectively the bloc manages internal contradictions and presents a joint front on key national issues. For now, Revanth Reddy has thrown his weight behind Rahul Gandhi, setting the stage for what could be a prolonged conversation within the opposition camp.

Tirupati Laddu Row: Panel Flags Ghee Irregularities

The Tirupati laddu controversy deepens as a member committee report alleges 70 lakh kg ghee was procured without mandatory checks, raising concerns over safety and governance.

Massive procurement lapses

Hyderabad: A member inquiry committee has flagged serious irregularities in the procurement of ghee used in the iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam, pointing to systemic failures within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The panel’s findings suggest that nearly 70 lakh kilograms of ghee was purchased without adhering to mandatory quality checks, with some batches reportedly used even before laboratory verification.

According to officials familiar with the report, these lapses were not isolated. The committee has described the issue as indicative of deeper administrative breakdowns and possible collusion among stakeholders involved in the procurement chain.

Adulteration concerns flagged

The report notes that several ghee samples tested positive for Sitosterol, a compound typically associated with vegetable oil adulteration. A lab report dated August 3, 2022, had already indicated contamination. However, the committee observed that no decisive action followed.

Despite evidence pointing to adulteration, the procurement process continued uninterrupted. Suppliers linked to questionable batches were neither blacklisted nor penalised, raising concerns about enforcement gaps.

Officials said the continued use of such ghee directly compromised both public health and religious sanctity, given the laddu’s significance for devotees visiting the Tirumala temple.

Former EO under scanner

The panel has held former TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy primarily responsible for weakening procurement safeguards. It alleges that tender rules were diluted under his watch, allowing questionable suppliers to remain in the system.

The report also claims that despite confirmed adulteration, no corrective steps were initiated. However, Dharma Reddy has earlier maintained that all procurement decisions were taken collectively and in accordance with contractual norms.

Tender norms diluted

One of the key findings relates to the structure of the procurement process itself. The committee observed that unusually low bids were accepted, often making it economically unviable to supply pure ghee.

In several instances, prices were reportedly revised downward through informal negotiations after tenders were finalised — a move that contravenes standard procedures. The panel believes this created an environment where adulteration became more likely.

Additionally, mandatory food safety protocols were allegedly ignored. Even after Sitosterol testing became compulsory from July 1, 2022, it was not fully integrated into TTD’s procurement practices during that period.

Network and supply chain issues

The committee has also pointed to the presence of an organised network. According to its findings, a major supplier continued operations through intermediary dairies even after being disqualified.

This workaround, the panel noted, exposed significant loopholes in monitoring mechanisms. It suggests that enforcement failures allowed such practices to persist without scrutiny.

Wider accountability questioned

The inquiry has widened its scope beyond administrative officials. The role of the purchase committee is under examination, with allegations against political figures including Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Bhumana Karunakar Reddy.

The report states that decisions taken collectively by the committee contributed to the dilution of safeguards. Both leaders, along with other members, were part of the decision-making process that allegedly relaxed tender norms.

Political backdrop

The controversy gained traction after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of allowing adulterated ghee to be used in laddu preparation between 2019 and 2024.

The YSRCP, however, has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, calling for an impartial review of the findings.

Next steps awaited

The committee, formed in February 2026 and led by retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar, has recommended strict disciplinary action against those found responsible. It has also called for systemic reforms to plug procedural gaps and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

While the report has laid out a detailed account of alleged irregularities, no major action has been publicly announced so far. Officials indicated that further review and consultations are likely before any punitive measures are taken.

The Tirupati laddu controversy continues to draw attention, with its implications spanning faith, governance, and food safety — issues that are unlikely to fade soon.