Konda Surekha retracts comments on Samantha-Naga Chaitanya divorce issue.
Hyderabad: In a notable development, Telangana Minister for Forests and Environment, Konda Surekha, has retracted her remarks concerning actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s divorce from Naga Chaitanya. The minister’s comments had stirred significant controversy, particularly after Samantha expressed strong disapproval of the statements made by Surekha.
Following the backlash, Konda Surekha took to social media platform ‘X’ to clarify that her remarks were not intended to offend Samantha or belittle her experiences. Instead, she claimed her comments were aimed at questioning a political leader’s perceived belittlement of women. The minister acknowledged Samantha’s resilience and success, stating, “I admire the way you have come up in life with self-power and you are an ideal for me.” In her message, she also stated, “If you or your fans are offended by my comments, I unconditionally retract my comments.” This attempt at reconciliation, however, came after a significant uproar surrounding the minister’s initial statements.
Konda Surekha’s remarks had linked Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao to the divorce of Samantha and Naga Chaitanya, which led to widespread condemnation from various quarters. The controversial connection stirred a heated debate, prompting Rama Rao to serve Surekha a legal notice demanding that she withdraw her comments and apologize or face legal repercussions. The matter escalated further, with Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, and his father, actor Nagarjuna, expressing their dissatisfaction with the minister’s remarks.
Samantha, in her response, clarified that her divorce was amicable and reached by mutual consent. She urged Konda Surekha not to trivialize her journey, emphasizing the importance of respecting individuals’ privacy. In a statement posted on social media, Samantha said, “It takes a lot of courage and strength. Konda Surekha Garu, I am proud of what this journey turned me into—please don’t trivialize it.
She further elaborated that her divorce was a personal matter and requested that public figures refrain from speculating about it. “Our choice to keep things private doesn’t invite misrepresentation,” she added, firmly stating that there was no political conspiracy involved in her divorce. Samantha expressed her desire to remain non-political, reiterating, “Could you please keep me out of political battles?
Naga Chaitanya also weighed in on the controversy, describing the minister’s claims as “not only false but also absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable.” He emphasized that women deserve support and respect, condemning the exploitation of personal life decisions for sensational media headlines. “Taking advantage and exploiting personal life decisions of celebrities for the sake of media headlines is shameful,” he remarked, reflecting the broader sentiment of support for Samantha in this turbulent time.
Amala Akkineni, Naga Chaitanya’s stepmother, publicly criticized Konda Surekha’s comments, expressing her shock at a woman minister resorting to what she described as “demonizing” tactics. She condemned the use of sensationalized allegations against decent citizens for political gain, stating, “Madam Minister, do you rely on and believe people with no decency to feed you This is really shameful.” Amala called on political leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, to intervene and hold Konda Surekha accountable for her remarks.
Nagarjuna, a prominent figure in the film industry and father of Naga Chaitanya, also strongly condemned the minister’s comments, emphasizing the need for respect regarding personal matters. He requested that Konda Surekha refrain from using the lives of film stars to criticize her political opponents. In a pointed statement, he said, “I strongly condemn the comments of the Honorable Minister Mrs. Konda Surekha. Please respect other people’s privacy.”
Nagarjuna further characterized the accusations against the family as “completely irrelevant and false,” calling for an immediate retraction of Konda Surekha’s statements. His plea resonates with many who believe that personal matters should not be exploited for political agendas.
The controversy surrounding Konda Surekha’s remarks reflects a broader discussion about the responsibilities of public figures, particularly politicians, in handling sensitive topics such as personal relationships and privacy. As the uproar continues, the emphasis on respecting individuals’ journeys and choices is likely to remain at the forefront of public discourse, highlighting the importance of compassion and understanding in political commentary.
In conclusion, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in public discussions, especially when they intersect with personal lives. The responses from Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, Amala Akkineni, and Nagarjuna underline a collective call for respect and dignity, emphasizing the need for accountability among those in positions of power.