Ponnam Prabhakar denies rift with Adluri Laxman, regrets misunderstanding

The rift between Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman Kumar has been resolved following a conciliatory meeting convened by TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud. Prabhakar clarified his remarks were misinterpreted, reaffirming his long-standing friendship and political collaboration with Laxman.

Hyderabad: The rift between Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman Kumar has reportedly been resolved following a conciliatory meeting convened by TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud at his Narsingi residence on Wednesday, Congress circles claimed. The meeting came amid growing tension between the two Ministers after an alleged remark by Prabhakar triggered a controversy.

At a recent party meeting, Prabhakar reportedly referred to Adluri Laxman as a “buffalo”, unaware that the microphone was on. Laxman demanded an apology, while Prabhakar denied making the remark at the former. The dispute, which erupted just as the Jubilee Hills by-election notification was issued, prompted AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan to instruct State leaders to settle the matter immediately.

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Following the breakfast meeting, Prabhakar issued a statement denying any rift with Adluri and reaffirming their long-standing friendship. “Adluri Laxman Kumar is like a brother to me. Our 30-year association in the Congress goes beyond politics,” he said, adding that his comments were misinterpreted and not directed personally at his colleague.

He alleged that certain individuals with political malice had distorted his words to create division within the party. Expressing regret over the misunderstanding, Prabhakar said he and Adluri Laxman would continue to work together to strengthen the Congress and uphold social justice under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.