Ponnam's Jab ignites Adluri's Fury

In Telangana's volatile political arena, where alliances crumble like dry leaves, one hushed remark has sparked a raging firestorm. Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman Kumar, once comrades in the Congress crusade against the BRS, are now locked in a bitter slugfest that threatens to derail the party's Jubilee Hills by-election momentum. What began as a mic'd-up indiscretion at a minority meeting has snowballed into accusations of body-shaming, caste insults, and high-command showdowns. As viral videos fuel the frenzy, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) scrambles to douse the flames before they scorch the party's Dalit vote bank.

Picture this: A bustling election rally in Rahmatnagar, Jubilee Hills constituency. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, leaning into Minister Vivek Venkatswamy's ear, mutters words that would soon echo across social media: "We know what time is... we know what life is... but what do they know" he said using Dunna Pothu word in the same breath – a crude jab at someone's girth, implying blissful ignorance of time and life. The target? Adluri Laxman Kumar, who arrived  late, delayed by official duties in his constituency.

Unbeknownst to Ponnam, the hot mic caught every syllable. The clip exploded online, courtesy of rival BRS trolls, painting Ponnam as the villain in a body-shaming saga. Ponnam, quick on the draw, fired back in a media huddle: "Those remarks weren't aimed at Laxman garu. It's a distortion by mischief-makers." He pinned the blame on BRS social media warriors, insisting the whisper was innocuous chit-chat from the minority program. But the damage was done – a fellow minister's dignity lay trampled, and the whispers turned to roars.

Escalation: Demands, Denials, and the Shadow of Caste

Adluri Laxman Kumar, the fiery representative of the Madiga community and a self-made Congress leader, didn't take it lying down – or standing, for that matter. In a gut-wrenching video release that has racked up lakhs of views, Laxman, with his voice cracking said, "I couldn't imagine Ponnam, who is from the same area as I, would stoop to this. Is this how Dalits are mocked – as 'small-eyed' bigots who disdain everything?" He accused Ponnam of indirectly slamming the Madiga community, demanding an apology by Wednesday, October 8, or face "consequences" that would be on Ponnam's head. He said will take up this issue with Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and also Meenakshi Natarajan.

The feud deepened with caste undercurrents. Laxman, rising from grassroots obscurity without the silver spoon that he claims Venkatswamy'son Vivek enjoyed, lashed out at Ponnam's alleged opposition to SC categorization – a sore point in Dalit politics. "Why didn't Vivek intervene when Ponnam threatened to bolt the meeting over my delay?" Laxman thundered, turning the spotlight on the third wheel in this trio. Supporters rallied: Fellow Dalit MLAs like Kavampalli Satyanarayana, Vemula Veeresham, Mandula Samuel and Kale Yadagiri stormed TPCC headquarters, venting to President Mahesh Kumar Goud about the "insult to Adluri and our community." Ponnam, unmoved, shrugged off the barbs: "I won't react to Adluri's comments. The matter's settled internally."

As the war of words escalated – Laxman firing salvos at both Ponnam and Vivek for perceived slights – the air thickened with the scent of intra-party sabotage. With Jubilee Hills polls looming, this isn't just personal; it's a powder keg primed to alienate key voters.

Firefighters Assemble: High-Command Huddle 

Enter the peacemakers. TPCC Chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, the party's crisis whisperer, wasted no time. After phone calls with both ministers as well as senior Minister from erstwhile Karimnagar district Duddilla Sridhar Babu, he summoned Ponnam and Laxman for a closed-door showdown at MLA Quarters on Wednesday at 11 a.m. "I've already spoken to Ponnam and Laxman; the issue is cooling down," Goud assured reporters, his tone a mix of paternal sternness and diplomatic silk. "We'll chat again tomorrow to iron out the creases."

Goud's intervention underscores the stakes: Two cabinet heavyweights at loggerheads could fracture Congress unity, handing rivals a gift-wrapped win. Dalit MLAs, fresh from their huddle with Goud, echoed the call for restraint, but their eyes betrayed deeper worries – this spat risks reigniting SC reservation debates that Congress has long navigated with kid gloves.

For now, the AICC's Disciplinary Committee plays the long game, adopting a "wait and watch" stance per senior sources. "TPCC resolves it first; we step in only if escalated," they say. But with Laxman's ultimatum ticking like a time bomb, will Ponnam bend? Or will pride push this to Delhi's doorstep?

‘comments unwarranted’

Senior Congress leader and Minister D. Sridhar Babu strongly reacted to the ongoing controversy surrounding Minister Ponnam Prabhakar’s alleged remarks against Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar. Calling the comments “unwarranted and damaging,” Sridhar Babu said such personal attacks among colleagues harm both the government’s image and the party’s integrity.

Ponnam's comments already triggered widespread outrage and according to reports, Minister Vivek allegedly made remarks suggesting that Sridhar Babu was habitually late and sarcastically commented, “Laxman is his disciple.”

Sridhar Babu stressed that ministers must act collectively and avoid words or actions that sow discord within the cabinet. “We should focus on governance and unity, not on belittling each other,” Sridhar Babu said. Referring to Ponnam’s repeated comments about Karimnagar’s local politics, he questioned why Ponnam avoided contesting from his own home constituency.

Sridhar Babu added that even in symbolic acts such as flag-hoisting, cooperation and mutual respect are essential. “Criticising fellow ministers over district headquarters issues is inappropriate,” he remarked, noting that he had been assigned the Suryapet district for Telangana Formation Day events. 

Recalling his long political journey since 2001, Sridhar Babu said he has always worked in a spirit of inclusion and teamwork. He urged the party’s leadership to officially respond to the controversy and ensure internal discipline, emphasizing that Ponnam should apologize immediately.

Meanwhile, MRPS founder-president Manda Krishna Madiga condemned Ponnam Prabhakar’s “arrogant and caste-insensitive” remarks against Minister Laxman Kumar. He demanded an immediate apology, warning that failure to do so could lead to statewide protests by Dalit and weaker section organizations.