A condolence meeting held in Guntur in memory of veteran Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham has triggered a political controversy in Andhra Pradesh after Telugu Desam Party MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao shared the stage with former minister and YSR Congress Party leader Ambati Rambabu.
The development reportedly upset TDP president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who directed state party president Palla Srinivasa Rao and minister Nimmala Ramanaidu to seek an explanation from the MLA.
The controversy was not limited to Bonda Uma sharing the dais with a senior YSRCP leader. His remarks at the meeting also generated considerable debate in political circles.
Responding to the criticism, Bonda Uma hit back at the party leadership for targeting him. He maintained that he had not violated party discipline and said he was ready to provide an explanation if the party formally sought one.
He clarified that he had not attended a YSRCP event, but a condolence meeting organised by former Jana Sena leader Dasari Ramu in memory of Mudragada Padmanabham.
According to Bonda Uma, he merely greeted Ambati Rambabu out of courtesy after noticing his presence at the event.
Questioning what he described as selective criticism, the MLA pointed out that TDP MLA Jyothula Nehru and senior leader Vangaveeti Radha had attended another condolence meeting for Mudragada organised by YSRCP leader Jakkampudi Raja.
He asked whether the party leadership would also seek explanations from them.
Bonda Uma said the TDP leadership had not yet formally asked him for an explanation and assured that he would present all the facts whenever required.
He also observed that members of the Kapu community were increasingly coming together across party lines.
During the Guntur meeting, Bonda Uma said the Kapu agitation led by Mudragada Padmanabham had played a significant role in the TDP’s defeat in the 2019 Assembly elections.
He claimed that several leaders had advised the party leadership at the time to engage with Mudragada, but those suggestions were ignored.
The MLA argued that any political party seeking the support of the state’s Kapu, Balija and other related communities would have a better chance of coming to power.
He further claimed that dissatisfaction was once again growing among members of the Kapu community and urged the government to address their concerns by providing adequate funds, political representation and fulfilling other long-pending demands.
Bonda Uma also announced that a statue of Mudragada Padmanabham would be installed in Vijayawada.
Following the controversy, Chandrababu Naidu reportedly expressed displeasure that some party leaders continued to share public platforms with YSRCP leaders despite earlier instructions to avoid doing so.
The TDP chief reiterated that leaders facing issues within the party should raise them with the leadership rather than appear alongside political rivals at public events.
He also reportedly objected to remarks made at the meeting that could harm the image of either the party or the state government and directed party leaders to ensure that such incidents were not repeated.
