Telangana | Ponnam Prabhakar apologises to Adluri Laxman Kumar, says issue resolved

Days after news circulated widely about Backward Classes (BC) Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar’s alleged remark against Tribal Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar, the former said that he apologises though he did not use such a word. Mr. Prabhakar issued a statement that the issue between them has ended with the intervention of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief B. Mahesh Kumar Goud and other leaders.

Backward Classes (BC) Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Tribal Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud and others on Wednesday (October 7, 2025).
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BY ARRANGEMENT

The two Ministers were seen sharing a table, having breakfast at the State Congress Chief’s residence along with other leaders on Wednesday (October 8, 2025).

A controversy broke out over Mr. Prabhakar’s alleged reference to Mr. Laxman Kumar as a ‘buffalo’, before a press conference pertaining to campaigning for Jubilee Hills byelections on Sunday (October 5, 2025).

The SC Welfare Minister demanded an apology and said he will take up the issue with Congress senior leadership including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and others.

On Wednesday morning, Mr. Prabhakar said that some people – with malicious political intentions – distorted his statements and presented them. He expressed regret that the misunderstanding stemming from this has hurt Mr. Laxman Kumar.

After the meeting at the Telangana Congress chief’s resident, Mr. Prabhakar issued another statement saying that though he did not make such remarks and Mr. Laxman was hurt reading the news reports pertaining to it. “I apologise for it,” said Mr. Prabhakar.

The BC Welfare Minister said that they will continue to work for social justice, betterment of people and Congress’ principles, under the leadership of Mr. Gandhi. Referring to Mr. Laxman Kumar as a brother, Mr. Prabhakar said that their 30-years association in Congress runs beyond politics and the bond, mutual respect will continue to remain the same.

Sports Minister Vakati Srihari, MLAs Makkan Singh Raj Thakur, Kavvampally Satyanarayana and others were present at the meeting at the State Congress Chief’s residence.