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Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Anantapur Urban MLA Daggupati Venkateswara Prasad was caught in a controversy over the alleged derogatory and abusive remarks against actor Junior NTR. Fans of the actor staged a protest in front of the legislator’s office on Sunday, August 17, seeking his apology. Parallely, #SuspendMLADaggubatiPrasad began trending on X, demanding action against the MLA.
According to reports, Jr. NTR fans association leader Dhanunjay Naidu had called the MLA over the phone to invite him for a special screening of War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR and Kiara Advani. The call recording of the conversation went viral in which the MLA was heard hurling abuses against Jr. NTR for his alleged disrespect towards TDP Chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh. The MLA also said that the movie will be a major disaster. He also threatened to stop the screening of the film.
Outraged by the MLA’s remarks, Jr. NTR’s fans tore down the MLA’s flexis and staged demonstrations.
Following this Venkateswara Prasad, released a video claiming that the audio clip circulating on social media platforms is fake and alleged that someone with vested interests was conspiring against him.
“Those audio calls are not mine. This is all being done as part of a political conspiracy. For the past 16 months, conspiracies have been plotted against me in the Urban constituency. From the beginning, I have been an admirer of the Nandamuri family. I have always loved watching Balakrishna and NTR’s movies. But now, fake audio calls have been created as if I abused Jr NTR. That call is fake, there is no truth in it."
He claimed that he had lodged a complaint with the Superintendent of Police regarding the alleged fake call. He further said that though he had not done any wrong, he would still tender an apology to the fans of Jr. NTR as his name was involved in the controversy.
“If the audio call has hurt the sentiments of NTR’s fans, I apologise. Though I have no connection to it, since my name has been mentioned, I am offering this apology. I will always remain loyal to the Nara and Nandamuri families," he said.