Konda Surekha expresses ‘regret’, withdraws remarks against KTR | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Former minister Konda Surekha on Thursday withdrew her earlier remarks against BRS working president KT Rama Rao, which had triggered a controversy and legal proceedings. In a statement on social media, she said she should not have made those comments and formally withdrew them.In a statement posted on social media platform X, Surekha said her comments were made in the context of the political situation prevailing at the time, while criticising the opposition, and were not intentional.“I should not have made those unsubstantiated remarks that I did back then,” she said, adding that she had no intention of hurting KTR or his family members or damaging their reputation. She expressed regret if her remarks had caused them hurt and formally withdrew the statements.The controversy dates back to Oct 2024, when Surekha, then a minister in the Congress govt, made allegations linking KTR to the divorce of two actors. Her remarks had triggered widespread criticism, with the actors and their family members objecting to the statements.KTR subsequently initiated legal proceedings against Surekha over the allegations. The Akkineni family also pursued legal action over her remarks.Surekha’s latest statement assumes significance against the backdrop of her removal from the cabinet and reported differences with Congress leadership. She was dropped from the cabinet in Sept following a controversy involving her daughter, Konda Sushmitha Patel, and chief minister A Revanth Reddy.Her withdrawal of remarks against KTR has prompted speculation about possible changes in political equations. However, there has been no official indication that Surekha intends to leave Congress or join BRS.