Konda Surekha, a Congress leader and cabinet minister in Telangana, faced criticism for insinuating that BRS politician KT Rama Rao played a role in the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya.
She claimed that KTR was responsible for many actresses marrying early or leaving the industry due to alleged blackmail related to drug influence.
Backlash from the Film Industry
Surekha’s comments sparked outrage in the Telugu film industry, with prominent actors such as Chiranjeevi, Junior NTR, and Amala Akkineni publicly supporting Samantha and Naga Chaitanya while criticizing the minister’s statements.
In response to the backlash, Konda Surekha later issued an apology to Samantha through a post on X, written in Telugu. She remarked, “I only intended to highlight how a leader disrespects women, not to offend you, Samantha.” She also stated, “If my words have hurt you or your fans, I completely retract them. Please don’t misunderstand my intentions.”
Legal Action
In light of Surekha’s remarks, BRS president KT Rama Rao filed a defamation suit against her, alleging that her statements also accused him of phone tapping, drugs, and blackmail. He demanded an apology for the false claims made against him.
Who Is Konda Surekha?
Personal Life
Konda Surekha hails from Warangal, Telangana, and currently represents the Warangal East assembly constituency in the Telangana Legislative Assembly. She is married to Konda Murali, a former MLC, and they have a daughter together. Both are active members of the Congress party.
Career
Konda Surekha began her political journey with the Mandal Parishad in 1995 and became an MLA in 1999. She officially joined the Congress party the following year.
In 2011, she held the position of minister for women development, child welfare, as well as disabled and juvenile welfare under YS Rajasekhara Reddy, but she resigned following his death.
In 2012, she contested the by-polls as a YSRCP candidate but left the party in 2013, citing mistreatment by the Jagan Mohan Reddy faction.
In 2014, she joined the Telangana Rashtra Samithi party along with her husband. However, they both quit the TRS in 2018 and rejoined the INC. Under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s government, she was assigned the portfolios for environment and forests, as well as endowments.
