Kavitha demands MLC Mallanna’s arrest, suspension over derogatory remarks

Hyderabad: Tensions escalated between Telangana Jagruthi President and BRS MLC K. Kavitha and suspended Congress MLC Teenmaar Mallanna on Sunday after Kavitha sought his arrest and suspension for allegedly making derogatory remarks against her.

Kavitha meets Council Chairman

Kavitha met Telangana Legislative Council Chairman G. Sukhender Reddy, urging him to refer the issue to the Ethics Committee and immediately suspend Mallanna from the House. Submitting a formal letter, she expressed anguish over his comments, stating they had damaged her dignity and reputation.

Protest turns violent

Her meeting came just hours after Telangana Jagruthi workers allegedly attacked Mallanna’s office in Hyderabad, protesting against his remarks. During the confrontation, Mallanna’s gunman opened fire in the air to disperse the protesters.

Speaking to the media, Kavitha said Telangana Jagruthi leaders and workers were holding a democratic protest but were met with gunfire. She demanded Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy arrest Mallanna immediately and announced her plan to approach the State Women’s Commission and National Women’s Commission over the issue.

Kavitha issues warning

Claiming that she enjoys the support of lakhs of people, Kavitha warned Mallanna that if he continued making such statements, he would not be able to “move outside freely”.

Mallanna alleges murder attempt

In response, Mallanna alleged that Kavitha and her family had made an attempt on his life. Speaking to reporters, he said the attack would not deter his ongoing Backward Classes movement. He demanded Kavitha’s disqualification from the Legislative Council for provoking an attack on a fellow MLC.

Defending his comments, Mallanna denied making any derogatory remarks, clarifying that he used a common Telangana phrase questioning the connection between Kavitha and the Backward Classes movement.

“I am not afraid of attempts on my life. I know how to move forward,” he asserted, asking the Congress government to act against those who attacked him.

Attack details

Mallanna alleged that a group of 20-30 people attacked his office and that one person even tried to snatch the gun from his security guard.

He further accused Kavitha of venting her frustration against her father K. Chandrasekhar Rao and brother KT Rama Rao by targeting him.

Background

Mallanna made the controversial remarks while ridiculing Kavitha for celebrating the Telangana government’s ordinance to increase reservations for Backward Classes to 42% in local bodies.

The Congress party had suspended Mallanna, whose real name is Chintapandu Naveen, on March 1 this year for “anti-party activities” after he tore the state’s BC caste survey report and used objectionable language against the government.

Elected as MLC in June 2024 from the Warangal-Nalgonda-Khammam Graduates’ constituency, Mallanna runs a YouTube channel, QNews, and is known for his aggressive style and controversial statements. Multiple cases were registered against him during the BRS regime.