Hyderabad: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has suspended MLC Teenmaar Mallanna for engaging in activities deemed detrimental to the party’s interests. The decision came after the MLC vocally opposed the Congress government’s caste census, labeling it as fraudulent and an attempt by upper-caste leaders to suppress Backward Classes (BCs). His public criticism escalated when he burned a copy of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s statement on February 5. Despite being served a showcause notice demanding an explanation before February 12, Mallanna refused to respond, asserting that he would not back down from his stance.

Following his continued defiance, pressure mounted on the Telangana Congress to take disciplinary action. The Reddy Jagruthi Samithi staged protests at Gandhi Bhavan, demanding strict measures against Mallanna and warning of electoral repercussions if the party failed to act. Responding to the mounting dissent, TPCC Disciplinary Committee Chairman G Chinna Reddy announced the MLC’s suspension on Saturday. The order stated that Mallanna had repeatedly attacked the party despite prior warnings, leaving the committee with no choice but to take action against him.

TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud reinforced the decision, highlighting that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) had taken serious objection to Mallanna’s actions, particularly his public destruction of the caste census report. He emphasized that any leader violating the party line would face consequences, warning that indiscipline would not be tolerated within the Congress ranks. The suspension has further deepened internal tensions within the Telangana Congress, exposing divisions over the caste census issue.