Who is Telangana minister Konda Surekha, who accused KTR of causing Samantha-Naga Chaitanya divorce?

Telangana’s Minister for Forests and Environment, Konda Surekha, has ignited a major controversy by linking the high-profile divorce of actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu to the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) KT Rama Rao, commonly known as KTR.

Surekha’s sensational allegations have reverberated throughout both political circles and the film industry and have prompted backlash from prominent figures including actors Nagarjuna, Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, and Khushbu, as well as several BRS leaders.

In the wake of the uproar, Konda Surekha attempted to clarify her remarks, describing them as a “slip of the tongue.” However, despite her retraction, the situation has generated significant public attention and criticism.

So, who exactly is Konda Surekha, and what did she say regarding the beloved actors? Here’s everything you need to know about this unfolding controversy.

The remarks

Konda Surekha, a Congress leader, made explosive allegations regarding the divorce of stars Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Speaking to the media, she claimed that KT Rama Rao (KTR), then a minister, was responsible for the couple’s separation in 2021.

Surekha alleged that KTR demanded Samantha be sent to him in exchange for sparing the N-Convention Centre, owned by Naga Chaitanya’s father, Nagarjuna Akkineni, from demolition. She suggested that when Samantha refused this demand, it ultimately led to her separation from Naga Chaitanya.

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Congress leader Konda Surekha reveals Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya's divorce happened because of BRS working president KT Rama Rao, actress responds, 'I hope you realise...'

“KTR asked to send Samantha in return for not demolishing the N-convention centre. Nagarjuna forced Samantha to go to KTR, but she said no. That led to divorce,” Surekha stated in a Deccan Herald report.

"KTR asked to send Samantha in return for not demolishing the N-convention center. Nagarjuna forced Samantha to go to KTR. Samantha said NO. That led to divorce." Konda Surekha, Telangana minister. https://t.co/YbIh5Cq3Oj pic.twitter.com/Ik3l2x1cQQ

— 🅺🅳🆁 🚩 (@KDRposts) October 2, 2024

The N-Convention Centre faced partial demolition on August 24, 2024, due to violations regarding lake buffer zones. Nagarjuna later secured a stay order from the High Court on the same day and addressed the matter on his social media.

In addition to her divorce claims, Surekha accused KTR of unethical behaviour, alleging that he tapped the phones of actresses, exploited their vulnerabilities, and blackmailed them.

“It is KT Rama Rao because of whom Samantha’s divorce happened. He was a minister at that time and used to tap the phones of the actresses, find their weaknesses, and blackmail them. He would make them drug addicts, and everyone knows this — Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, his family, everybody is aware that such a thing happened,” she was quoted as saying by ANI.

These shocking allegations have thrust the 58-year-old Congress leader into the spotlight.

Who is Konda Surekha?

Born on August 19, 1965, is a prominent Indian National Congress leader who represents the Warangal East constituency in the Telangana Legislative Assembly.

Her political career began in 1995 when she was elected to the Mandal Parishad. By 1999, she became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Shyampet in the undivided Andhra Pradesh state, as noted by data from MyNeta, a platform maintained by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Surekha successfully retained her seat in the 2004 elections and was appointed as a spokesperson for Congress that same year. She first entered the ministerial role in 2009, overseeing the Ministry for Women’s Development & Child Welfare, Disabled & Juvenile Welfare.

However, she later resigned from her ministerial post and aligned herself with Jagan Mohan Reddy after he formed the YSR Congress Party following the death of his father, YS Rajashekhara Reddy.

In 2013, she departed from the YSR Congress Party and joined the Telangana Rashtra Samithi before ultimately becoming a member of the Indian National Congress in 2018.

As of the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly elections, Konda Surekha declared assets amounting to nearly Rs 6 crores. She has five criminal cases registered against her, including charges of attempted murder, unlawful assembly, and rioting, although she has not faced any convictions.

An alumnus of Kakatiya University in Warangal, she holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree, which she obtained in 1985.

She is married to Konda Murali, a former MLC, and the two have a daughter together. They are both members of the Congress party.

Samantha, Naga Chaitanya react

In response to the shocking allegations made by Telangana minister, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu took to Instagram to issue a powerful statement.

“It takes a lot of courage and strength to go through what I’ve been through. Konda Surekha Garu, I am proud of what this journey has turned me into – please don’t trivialise it. I hope you realize that your words carry significant weight as a minister. I implore you to be responsible and respectful of individuals’ privacy.”

She clarified that her divorce was a personal matter, resolved amicably and through mutual consent in 2021, without any political interference. “Could you please keep my name out of political battles? I have always remained non-political and wish to continue doing so,” she added.

#Samantha reacts to Minister #KondaSurekha's statements, asking her not to undermine her journey and to refrain from involving her in political conflicts. pic.twitter.com/uwFHwaoCzg

— BNBA (@BabuNuvuBtechAh) October 2, 2024

Naga Chaitanya, who has generally kept his personal life private since the divorce, also spoke out against the minister’s claims. He dismissed Surekha’s remarks as “not only false, it is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable.”

Chaitanya stressed the need to respect women’s personal decisions, criticising those who exploit private matters for media attention.

“Women deserve to be supported and respected. Taking advantage and exploiting the personal life decisions of celebrities for the sake of media headlines is shameful,” Chaitanya concluded, urging the minister to be more responsible with her words.

Veteran actor Nagarjuna Akkineni, Naga Chaitanya’s father, also responded to the controversy on social media, labeling the minister’s claims as “inappropriate” and “baseless”.

గౌరవనీయ మంత్రివర్యులు శ్రీమతి కొండా సురేఖ గారి వ్యాఖ్యలని తీవ్రంగా ఖండిస్తున్నాను. రాజకీయాలకు దూరంగా ఉండే సినీ ప్రముఖుల జీవితాలని, మీ ప్రత్యర్ధులని విమర్శించేందుకు వాడుకోకండి. దయచేసి సాటి మనుషుల వ్యక్తిగత విషయాలని గౌరవించండి. బాధ్యత గలిగిన పదవి లో ఉన్న మహిళగా మీరు చేసిన…

— Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) October 2, 2024

He further told Times Now that he will be taking legal action against the leader.

“I am in Vizag. I am heading back to Hyderabad for action ahead,” he said before adding, “Oh, absolutely! A hundred percent. We can’t let this go. Not at all. I am rushing back with lawyers.

Several stars such as Allu Arjun, Chiranjeevi, Khushbu, and Nani had earlier stood up for the Akkineni family and Samantha.

‘I am taking back my words, but…’

The fallout from Konda Surekha’s controversial remarks reached beyond the film industry, drawing the attention of several political leaders who expressed their disapproval. BRS working president KTR issued a legal notice to Surekha, demanding a full retraction of her comments and an official apology within 24 hours.

In his notice, KTR stated that Surekha’s comments were defamatory and were intended to tarnish his image for political gain.

మూసి మురికి అంతా వాళ్ల నోట్లోనే...

ఇంకా శుద్ధి ఎందుకు.. లక్షన్నర కోట్లు ఖర్చు ఎందుకు?

Served legal notices to the Minister; Disgusting & Nauseating politics by Congress

Request @RahulGandhi to send your Minister & CM to a mental health specialist or a rehabilitation… pic.twitter.com/cL8AI1RqHk

— KTR (@KTRBRS) October 2, 2024

On Thursday, Surekha attempted to retract her statements about the regional film industry and her comments concerning the actors’ divorce.

She posted on X, “I have no personal agenda against anyone. I made an off-the-cuff remark. It was a slip of the tongue. I am disheartened to see the sharp reactions to my statement. I am taking back my words regarding what I said about the film industry.”

Additionally, she expressed admiration for Samantha’s resilience and journey, calling her an “inspiration.” “I not only admire the way you have come up in life with self-power but also see you as an ideal,” she stated in her retraction.

నా వ్యాఖ్యల ఉద్దేశం మహిళల పట్ల ఒక నాయకుడి చిన్నచూపు ధోరణిని ప్రశ్నించడమే కానీ మీ @Samanthaprabhu2 మనోభావాలను దెబ్బతీయడం కాదు.

స్వయం శక్తితో మీరు ఎదిగిన తీరు నాకు కేవలం అభిమానం మాత్రమే కాదు.. ఆదర్శం కూడా..

— Konda Surekha (@iamkondasurekha) October 2, 2024

However, the minister maintained her allegations against KTR, asserting, “I won’t take back my comments on KTR. He should instead apologise. I will also respond to the defamation notice in a legal way.”

I will not go back on the comments made on KTR

I will not apologise.. KTR should apologize to me - Konda Surekha pic.twitter.com/F11GZHIuD3

— Telugu Cult 𝐘𝐓 (@Telugu_Cult) October 3, 2024

With input from agencies