The Congress-led Telangana government reportedly considered several retired IAS and IPS officers to head the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) before finalizing on former DGP M. Mahender Reddy. The government sought to appoint a candidate with a clean image to improve the Commission’s reputation, which was marred by question paper leaks in Group I and II examinations.
Initially, the government approached retired IAS officer Akunuri Murali, known for his vocal criticism of the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS). However, Murali, who had crossed the age limit, was ineligible. Another attempt was made to bring in former Additional DGP Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar, but he politely declined, citing his involvement in politics. Both Murali and Praveen Kumar are Dalits and have a history of challenging establishments and advocating for educational improvement in Telangana.