Under fire from film personalities, Telangana minister Surekha withdraws comments on Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya

Hyderabad: Telangana Minister Konda Surekha on Thursday withdrew her comments claiming that BRS leader K T Rama Rao was the reason behind the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya, after facing flak over the remarks.

Several cine personalities such as Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, junior NTR, Venkatesh, Prakash Raj and Khushbu hit out at the minister for her remarks.

Speaking to mediapersons, the minister said she had to take the names of the actors after she became emotional over the comments made by the BRS leader about her (Surekha).

"I had to criticise him (K T Rama Rao). I do not have any personal animosity towards anyone. Taking the name of a family was inadvertent. I felt really bad after seeing her tweet (Samantha's Instagram). Last night itself, I posted a message unconditionally withdrawing my comments," Surekha said.

Asserting that she would not go back on the comments made against her by the BRS party on social media, she demanded an apology from Rama Rao for those remarks.

On the legal notice sent by the BRS leader, Surekha said she would also proceed legally.

Reacting to her comments, Rama Rao on Wednesday said he sent a notice to the minister demanding an unconditional apology lest legal action will be taken.

The Minister for Environment, Forests and Endowments Konda Surekha alleged that the BRS social media activists were targeting her online and defaming her by making abusive comments against her.

Meanwhile, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Thursday requested the film fraternity to put an end to the issue after "controversy" erupted following the minister's remarks, saying she had withdrawn her statement which had "pained" them.

The TPCC chief further said he had spoken to the minister over the issue and sought an explanation.

Goud also urged the Congress leaders and ministers to be careful while speaking, a release from the party said.