After backlash, Telangana minister withdraws controversial statement on Samantha-Chaitanya's divorce
Telangana Minister Konda Surekha has taken back her controversial statement that linked Bharat Raksha Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao to the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya. She retracted her statement after facing backlash from both the entertainment and political circles. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she explained that her intention was not to hurt Prabhu's feelings but to highlight a leader's disrespectful attitude toward women.
'Please do not take it otherwise'
In her retraction statement on X, she wrote in Telugu: "My intention was only to point out how a leader is belittling toward woman but not to hurt your sentiments, Samantha." "The way you have grown exponentially by yourself is something I admire and aspire to. If you or your fans have been hurt by my words, I unconditionally retract them. Please do not take it otherwise."
What did Surekha initially say?
Surekha initially claimed that Rao, son of former Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekara Rao, was the primary cause for Prabhu and Chaitanya's divorce. She alleged that the BRS is targeting and harassing other female leaders in Telangana. In response to Surekha's allegations, Rao issued a defamation notice demanding an immediate withdrawal of the statements. The notice stated that her comments were intended to "tarnish" his image.
Akkineni family and celebrities condemned Surekha's remarks
Meanwhile, Prabhu, in a note shared on her Instagram Stories, stated that her divorce was a personal matter and requested people to refrain from speculating about it. Chaitanya also released a statement calling Surekha's claim "absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable." His father, Nagarjuna, strongly condemned Surekha's comments on X (formerly Twitter), asking her to respect their privacy. Several other celebrities like Jr NTR, Nani, Khushbu Sundar also criticized Surekha's comment. Chaitanya-Ruth Prabhu were married between 2017 and 2021.
