Congress MLAs face criticism over controversial remarks in Telangana

Controversy has erupted in Telangana after Congress MLAs made abusive remarks and threats. Viral videos triggered criticism, prompting Minister Sridhar Babu to defend a colleague, while other legislators also faced backlash for their behaviour toward officials.

HYDERABAD: Criticism is mounting from various sections over abusive remarks and open threats being made by Congress legislators, even as Cabinet Ministers attempt to play down the incidents in subsequent damage control exercises.

The latest incident of intemperate language and gestures being used was reported on Monday, when Ramagundam MLA Makkan Singh Raj Thakur, who threatened to hack people to death. Speaking at a programme in Manthani constituency, he alleged that Opposition leaders were threatening the Congress workers.

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He said the party would stand by its workers. “Minister Sridhar Babu may not be available in Manthani constituency daily. But, if Congress workers are threatened or if something happens to them, we will come in two hours and hack the offenders to death,”

Videos of his remarks went viral on social media, drawing criticism from several quarters. Many questioned his conduct and opined that use of such intemperate language was unwarranted.

Following the backlash, Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu sought to downplay the incident.

In the apparent damage control exercise, he maintained that Raj Thakur strives to maintain peace and does not take steps that disturb it. He said Congress workers were facing threats and that the MLA spoke in that manner to instill confidence among them. “Any such intentions, irrespective of any person, will be condemned,” the Minister said.

The Ramagundam MLA’s remarks are not an isolated incident. In recent days, a few Congress MLAs have drawn criticism for their behaviour towards officials.

On April 10, Mahabubnagar MLA Yennam Srinivas Reddy expressed anger at officials for not following protocol. At a blood donation camp in a government hospital, he reportedly told them that they draw salaries because of the budget passed by legislators and questioned their conduct.

Similarly, last week, Bhupalpally MLA Gandra Satyanarayana was seen abusing sanitation staff and a doctor. In a video that circulated widely, he criticised the staff and doctor over poor arrangements and called him “a useless fellow.”