Congress minister in legal soup over Chaitanya-Samantha divorce remark – The controversy explained | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Under fire from the Tollywood fraternity and slapped with multiple legal notices, Congress minister Konda Surekha on Thursday had to retract her controversial remarks over BRS leader KT Rama Rao‘s involvement in actors Samantha and Naga Chaitanya‘s divorce.
“My comments are meant to question a leader’s belittling of women and not to hurt your sentiments. The way you (Samantha) have grown up with self-power is not only an admiration for me, but also an ideal,” the minister tweeted addressing the actor after a massive outrage.

A host of stars such as Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, junior NTR, Venkatesh, Prakash Raj and Khushbu took strong exception to her remarks.Actress Samantha also took to social media and lashed out against the “baseless” allegations made by Konda Surekha. Meanwhile, veteran actor Nagarjuna and KT Rama Rao took the legal route and slapped the minister with legal notices on the remark they regard as “baseless”.

What sparked the controversy?

The controversy broke out after Telangana forest and environment minister Konda Surekha alleged BRS leader KTR’s involvement in drug-related parties and claimed that he was responsible for Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s divorce.
In a public press meet, Konda Surekha insinuated that politician KT Rama Rao (KTR) made a deal with actor Nagarjuna, involving Samantha Ruth Prabhu, to prevent the demolition of the N-Convention Centre. She claimed that when Samantha refused to comply, it led to her separation from Naga Chaitanya. Surekha also alleged that Nagarjuna pressured Samantha, but she declined.
“KTR is the reason why Naga Chaitanya and Samantha broke up in the first place. He has the habit of exploiting women and even heroines. He has gotten several heroines addicted to drugs. He even tapped their phones to get personal information. Doesn’t he have a mother, sister, and wife at home? Why doesn’t he respect and value women,” Konda Surekha said in the video that went viral on social media.

Tollywood’s all-out against the minister’s remark

Veteran actor Nagarjuna, who is also the father of Naga Chaitanya condemned Konda Surekha’s remarks, labeling the accusations as false. He urged her to respect the privacy of individuals and avoid making baseless claims.
“I strongly condemn the comments of Honourable Minister Mrs Konda Surekha. Don’t use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticise your opponents. Please respect other people’s privacy. As a woman in a responsible position, your comments and accusations against our family are completely irrelevant and false. I request you to withdraw your comments immediately,” he wrote on X.

Amala Akkineni expressed her displeasure over Konda Surekha’s comments, calling the minister a “demon” and accusing her of “preying on decent citizens as fuel for a political war.” She also appealed to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition to prevent their ministers from making such “venomous statements.” Amala also tagged Priyanka Gandhi in her post, demanding an apology to her family.

“Konda Surekha garu, dragging personal lives into politics is a new low. Public figures, especially those in responsible positions like you, must maintain dignity and respect for privacy. It’s disheartening to see baseless statements thrown around carelessly, especially about the film industry,” actor Jr NTR said.

Meanwhile, Naga Chaitanya addressed the situation, stating that the decision to divorce his former partner, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, was a painful one. He dismissed Konda Surekha’s allegations as “false, ridiculous, and unacceptable.”

Actor Nani said it was “disgusting to see politicians thinking that they can get away with talking any kind of nonsense”.

Former Union minister and actor Chiranjeevi said he was “extremely pained to see the disgraceful remarks made by an honourable woman minister”.
“It is a shame that celebs and members of the film fraternity become soft targets as they provide instant reach and attention. We, as the film industry, stand united in opposing such vicious verbal assaults on our members,” he said.

“We choose our leaders to make society a better place to live in, and not contaminate it by lowering the discourse. Politicians and people in honourable positions should set better examples,” he said.
Actress and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar also hit out at the remarks made by minister Konda Surekha. “I thought it was only those who need 2 minutes of fame and indulge in yellow journalism who speak this language. But here, I see an absolute disgrace to womanhood. Konda Surekha garu, I am sure some values were instilled in you. Where have they flown out of the window? A person in a responsible position cannot make such baseless, appalling, and degrading statements about my industry, my place of worship,” she said.

KTR and Nagarjuna send legal notice to minister

Meanwhile, BRS leader KTR and Nagarjuna Akkineni filed complaints against Telangana environment minister Konda Surekha’s “defamatory (and) derogatory” remarks.

In the legal notice, KTR’s counsel stated that he had been subjected to “scandalous attacks” as a result of Surekha’s “vitriolic campaign,” with the intent to harm his reputation.