Hyderabad, August 3: The sudden death of former Narsampet MLA and senior BRS leader Peddi Sudarshan Reddy has sparked a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS in Telangana. While the BRS has alleged that political pressure from the Congress government affected the former MLA’s health, the Congress has dismissed the claims as an attempt to gain political mileage from his death.
Peddi Sudarshan Reddy suffered a cardiac emergency at his residence in Hanamkonda on July 26 and was shifted to a private hospital in Secunderabad, where he underwent treatment for several days before passing away late Thursday night. Although his funeral concluded with a large turnout of party leaders, supporters and local residents, the political debate over the circumstances surrounding his death has continued.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) alleged that the Congress government subjected Peddi Sudarshan Reddy to sustained political pressure.
KTR claimed that the former MLA had personally informed him about alleged harassment through false cases. He further stated that Peddi had approached the Supreme Court over alleged irregularities in the Education Department and that the apex court issued notices to the Congress government a day after his death.
KTR also referred to allegations earlier made by BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar, who claimed that Peddi was targeted after raising issues related to an alleged ₹1,100 crore Civil Supplies scam and alleged irregularities in the procurement of bunker beds in the Education Department. He also alleged that pressure was exerted on Peddi over land issues in Vatti Nagulapally.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy strongly rejected the BRS allegations and accused the opposition of politicising the death of a senior leader.
He questioned why the BRS had not appointed Peddi Sudarshan Reddy to the Cabinet during its decade-long rule despite describing him as a committed Telangana movement leader. He also asked why the party did not nominate him to the Rajya Sabha or Legislative Council after his electoral defeat, while accommodating other leaders in key positions.
The minister said the Congress government ensured a green corridor to shift Peddi from Warangal to Hyderabad for medical treatment and later facilitated official police honours during his funeral. He alleged that the BRS was exploiting the former MLA’s death for political purposes and accused the Kalvakuntla family of sidelining senior movement leaders while concentrating power within the family.
The controversy intensified after comments made by Peddi Sudarshan Reddy’s wife, Peddi Swapna, during the funeral procession.
Standing beside her husband’s mortal remains near the Amaraveerula Stupam in Narsampet, she emotionally alleged that “you are responsible for my husband’s death,” while pointing towards unidentified individuals. Her remarks quickly went viral on social media, triggering widespread speculation over whom she was referring to.
However, she did not identify any individual or organisation during her statement, and no official clarification has been issued regarding her remarks.
With both the Congress and the BRS trading allegations, the political row over Peddi Sudarshan Reddy’s death has intensified. No official investigation has linked his death to any of the political allegations made by either side.
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