The Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRT) has suspended the appointment of Prasad Chigilisetty as its Texas State Coordinator following objections from workers of the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party over his earlier social media posts.
According to APNRT, complaints were received alleging that several of Chigilisetty’s previous comments and online posts were inconsistent with the spirit of unity among the ruling NDA coalition partners in Andhra Pradesh.
Following the complaints, the organisation decided to keep his appointment in abeyance pending further review.
Earlier in the day, Chigilisetty announced on social media that he had assumed charge as APNRT Texas State Coordinator. He thanked Jana Sena president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for giving him the opportunity.
He also expressed gratitude to NRI Jana Sena leaders and senior party functionaries who, he said, had played a key role in securing his appointment.
Chigilisetty said that while holding an official position, he intended to work in accordance with the party’s ideology, organisational strategy and leadership decisions. He added that people would notice a significant change in his public conduct.
He later confirmed that he had received an official email informing him that his appointment had been kept in abeyance. He also acknowledged that the suspension letter circulating on social media was genuine.
Defending himself, Chigilisetty argued that the controversial posts cited by his critics were published in May 2023, before the TDP and Jana Sena entered into an electoral alliance. He questioned how those posts could now be described as anti-coalition.
However, TDP supporters strongly opposed his appointment and circulated old posts in which he had allegedly criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Nara Lokesh and actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna.
They also accused him of making derogatory remarks about members of their families and of repeatedly targeting leaders from the Kamma community.
Some TDP supporters argued that the coalition had already made significant political sacrifices, including giving up electoral opportunities for alliance partners. They questioned why individuals who had previously abused senior TDP leaders should now receive government-backed appointments.
