The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed B.M. Sandeep as its new in-charge for Telangana, replacing Meenakshi Natarajan. The transition, announced by AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Saturday, comes after months of speculation regarding changes within the state’s party leadership.
Sandeep, a Congress leader from Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka, acknowledged the appointment in a statement to The Indian Express, expressing his gratitude to the party leadership and Rahul Gandhi. He faces an immediate mandate to oversee preparations for the state’s upcoming local body elections, while navigating internal party dynamics in Telangana.
The outgoing in-charge, Meenakshi Natarajan, had served in the role since February 2025. According to The Hindu, she is reportedly planning to move to the United Kingdom for a two-year period of study leave, a move the party has not officially confirmed in its communication regarding her replacement. Reports from The Indian Express suggest Natarajan had requested to be relieved of her organisational duties.
Natarajan’s tenure was marked by various controversies and friction with the state’s senior leadership. Local party insiders noted that she experienced disagreements with several figures, including Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Tensions previously flared in March 2025 when she supported protests against the government's proposal to clear 400 acres of land at the University of Hyderabad, and again in June when her nomination for the Rajya Sabha was rejected.
Sandeep’s background includes extensive experience within the party hierarchy. He began his political career with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) in the early 2000s and previously served as a member of the Chikkamagaluru city council. Over the last eight years, he has held roles as an AICC secretary, managing organisational responsibilities across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala.
Key facts
- B.M. Sandeep is the newly appointed AICC in-charge for Telangana, replacing Meenakshi Natarajan.
- The appointment was formally announced by AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal on November 14, 2026.
- Sandeep previously served as an AICC secretary with organisational roles in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala.
- Meenakshi Natarajan, a former Lok Sabha member from Mandsaur, had been in the role since February 2025.
- Sandeep's immediate priority is overseeing preparations for the upcoming local body elections in Telangana.
Why it matters
Sandeep is expected to manage competing interests within the Telangana Congress unit as the party looks toward Assembly elections scheduled for two years from now. Senior leaders noted that maintaining cohesion within the state unit will be a critical challenge for the new in-charge.
Source: Indian Express, The Hindu
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