Congress Leaders Rebuke BRS for “Orchestrated Smear Campaign” Against Minister Seethakka

Tensions flared at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad as Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) leaders launched a fierce counter-offensive against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), following Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka)’s legal notice to former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.

The controversy erupted after BRS-affiliated social media handles alleged a Rs 30 crore scam in a Rs 44 crore mobile phone procurement tender overseen by Minister Seethakka’s department. The allegations prompted an immediate and forceful response from Congress leaders, who warned of both legal and physical retaliation if the “misinformation campaign” continues.

TPCC General Secretary Chanagani Dayakar provided a detailed explanation of the mobile phone procurement process, emphasizing that it was part of the Central Government’s “Poshan Abhiyaan” nutrition scheme. According to Dayakar, the tender issued in November 2023 covered 38,130 mobile phones and followed established procurement protocols.

“The entire process was conducted through the Government e-Marketplace portal under a global tender with five expert witnesses present,” Dayakar explained. “The Central Government had set a price cap of Rs 11,800 per unit, but our government actually secured the devices for Rs 11,650 each, saving taxpayer money.”

This transparent procurement process, Congress leaders argue, directly contradicts BRS claims of financial impropriety. The TPCC has characterized the allegations as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of Minister Seethakka, who rose to prominence through grassroots movements before entering politics.

The confrontation highlights escalating tensions between the ruling Congress and opposition BRS in Telangana’s political landscape. Since defeating the BRS in the December 2023 assembly elections, the Congress government has faced persistent criticism from KCR’s party on multiple fronts.

TPCC Official Spokesperson Indira Shoban was particularly pointed in her criticism, referring to BRS as the “Slave Samithi” and questioning whether they would welcome a CBI inquiry into phone purchases made during their own administration. She singled out BRS leader Manne Krishank, suggesting his attacks were merely attempts to “impress his bosses and outdo others like Balka Suman.”

“This is pure spite because Seethakka gave a crushing reply to KTR in the Assembly,” Shoban added, referencing a recent parliamentary exchange between the minister and KCR’s son, K.T. Rama Rao.

The Congress response has expanded beyond verbal rebukes. Dr. Charan Koushik Yadav, another TPCC General Secretary, demanded that Krishank apologize to Minister Seethakka immediately. “If you have evidence, put it out; otherwise, keep your ‘bhajan batch’ in check,” Yadav warned. “If you continue to insult the Minister, we won’t even let the BRS Bhavan stand.”

In an unprecedented escalation, TPCC leaders collectively called for social media platforms to ban BRS party handles, citing a pattern of “morphing and manipulation.” They referenced the Gachibowli fence controversy as a precedent that had previously resulted in legal consequences for BRS social media coordinators.

Minister Seethakka’s legal notice has given KCR and the BRS party 48 hours to delete the controversial posts and issue a public apology or face criminal proceedings. The minister, who belongs to the tribal community and has been focused on welfare initiatives for women and children, has garnered strong support from her party colleagues.

Political analysts note that this confrontation exemplifies the increasingly acrimonious nature of Telangana politics, with social media becoming a key battleground for narrative control between the major parties. As the 48-hour deadline approaches, political watchers remain alert for either de-escalation or further intensification of this high-profile dispute between the state’s leading political forces.