Jubilee Hills bypoll: Congress slams ‘sympathy drama’ by Maganti Sunitha; BRS demands apology

Hyderabad: The political atmosphere in Jubilee Hills heated up on Tuesday after BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar’s remarks on BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha triggered strong condemnation from the opposition.

The comments have turned the by-election campaign emotional and confrontational, with both parties accusing each other of ‘crossing limits’ in political discourse.

Ponnam alleges ‘sympathy show’ by BRS candidate

Participating in a Congress campaign at Yousufguda, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar alleged that BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha, wife of late MLA Maganti Gopinath, was trying to seek votes through emotional appeals rather than developmental issues.

“I sympathise with her personal loss, but crying on stage and during speeches is not politics. The BRS is avoiding a debate on development and is enacting sympathy dramas like in cinemas,” he said.

Vote theft claims are a drama, says Congress

Prabhakar further alleged that some BRS workers were even coaching her to cry at every public event. “While it’s not wrong to field a woman candidate, artificial displays of emotion are uncalled for,” he said.

Responding to allegations of fake votes, Prabhakar clarified that the State government had not interfered in any process. “It’s the BRS and BJP that indulge in fake voting and intimidation. Vote theft is a drama being enacted by both,” he charged.

BRS hits back, demands apology from ministers

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) reacted sharply to the Minister’s remarks, describing them as ‘insensitive, derogatory and disrespectful towards women.’

Former Minister V Srinivas Goud said the comments exposed the Congress’s arrogance and lack of human values.

“Thummala Nageswara Rao and Ponnam Prabhakar should be ashamed of their remarks. If Rajiv Gandhi’s family could campaign after his death, why can’t Sunitha’s children do the same? These ministers owe an apology to her and to the people of Telangana,” he said.

He added that the remarks were not just an insult to Maganti Sunitha but to all women in the State, calling the comments ‘disgraceful and unbecoming of public representatives.’

Congress fear driving personal attacks: BRS MLC

BRS MLC Tata Madhu also lashed out at the ruling party, claiming the Congress’s fear of defeat in Jubilee Hills had pushed its leaders to ‘disgraceful personal attacks.’

“It’s shocking that ministers would stoop so low in their language. They must apologise to the women of Telangana for their indecent remarks. The BRS stands firmly with Maganti Sunitha and her family,” he said.