Fresh Congress rift in Telangana as MLA accuses minister of death threat

A fresh rift has surfaced within the Telangana Congress after an MLA accused state Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha of threatening to kill him during a heated confrontation at a hotel in Delhi.

Speaking to India Today, Jukkal MLA T Laxmikantha Rao claimed that Rajanarasimha used vulgar and derogatory language against him and threatened to beat him to death during an altercation in the lobby of Hotel Shangri-La.

According to the MLA, the confrontation was triggered by his alleged role in the appointment of Chandra Shekar Reddy as the Sangareddy District Congress Committee (DCC) president.

Laxmikantha Rao denied influencing the appointment and questioned why the minister was holding a grudge against him.

The MLA also alleged that the minister had previously summoned him to his residence and asked him to support his brother, Ramchander, in alleged illegal sand-mining activities.

Claiming that he refused to comply, Laxmikantha Rao suggested that this could have led to the minister's hostility towards him.

Recounting the hotel confrontation, the MLA alleged that Rajanarasimha threatened to lock him inside a room for half an hour and physically assault him. He further claimed that the minister continued to hurl abuses and make derogatory remarks about him and the Congress party.

Laxmikantha Rao said he chose to remain silent and did not respond to the minister's remarks.

According to the MLA, Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Rangareddy, a Congress leader from Nalgonda identifie, and a local journalist were among those present during the confrontation and could serve as witnesses.

The minister has not responded to the allegations yet.- Ends

Principal Correspondent at India Today. Reporting from Hyderabad Bureau. Basheer has keen interest in political stories, analysis, and crime stories. He keeps close watch on all happenings in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. A law graduate, journalist by passion and profession.