Tensions flared during campaigning for the Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills bypoll after Backward Classes (BC) Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar allegedly called his cabinet colleague, Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman, a “buffalo” who “has no value for life” over Laxman’s late arrival at an election event in Rahmath Nagar.
In response, Laxman released a six-minute video expressing hurt over the alleged remark, demanding a formal apology and questioning how a minister could publicly insult a colleague from a marginalised community.
He said, “As Laxman Kumar, he can abuse me, but abusing my caste is not correct. I am from the Madiga caste (SC); that is why they made me a Minister. We’ll see today and tomorrow, if there is no change, if he still says it, then I will not be responsible for the consequences. A complaint will be sent from my caste representatives and in my capacity as Minister to Mallikarjun Kharge,”.
Ponnam denied making derogatory comments, claiming his words were distorted and were actually about delays in confirming his flight tickets.
The controversy prompted Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Mahesh Kumar Goud to step in. Speaking with both ministers over the phone, he urged cooperation and coordination, and the issue was reportedly amicably resolved following his intervention.
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