A serious political controversy has emerged in Andhra Pradesh after a woman government employee accused Jana Sena Party MLA Arava Sridhar of sexual assault, harassment, and intimidation. The allegations have triggered an internal inquiry by the Jana Sena Party and have also drawn the attention of the Andhra Pradesh State Women’s Commission. The case has now become a major topic of debate in state politics, raising questions about the safety of women and accountability of public representatives.
Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan ordered an internal inquiry on Wednesday after the allegations against Arava Sridhar, the MLA from Railway Koduru Assembly constituency in Kadapa district, came into public view. According to an official statement released by the party, the decision was taken to ensure a fair and transparent examination of the accusations.
The party has formed a three member inquiry committee to look into the matter. The committee includes senior party leaders T Shivashankar, Thamballapalli Ramadevi, and TC Varun. Their responsibility is to verify the facts, examine the allegations in detail, and submit a report to the party leadership. The statement said that Arava Sridhar has been instructed to appear before the committee and present his explanation within seven days.
The party leadership clarified that the committee will conduct a thorough investigation and submit its findings. Based on the report, the party will take a final decision on the issue. Until the inquiry is completed, Jana Sena Party has asked MLA Arava Sridhar to stay away from all party programs and activities. This step, according to party sources, is meant to avoid any influence on the inquiry process.
At the same time, the Andhra Pradesh State Women’s Commission has also taken note of the allegations. Commission chairperson Rayapati Sailaja spoke to the complainant over the phone on Tuesday. She assured the woman that the Commission would conduct a proper inquiry and take suitable action after verifying the facts. The involvement of the Women’s Commission has added seriousness to the matter and highlighted the importance of institutional response in such cases.
The controversy began after a video statement made by the woman went viral on social media. In the video, the woman, who is a state government employee, made several serious allegations against the MLA. She claimed that Arava Sridhar sexually exploited her for more than a year by promising to marry her. According to her statement, the abuse started soon after Sridhar was elected as an MLA in 2024.
The woman further alleged that during this period, she was forced to undergo multiple abortions. She also claimed that she was subjected to continuous threats, harassment, and mental pressure. According to her, she remained silent for a long time due to fear and pressure but finally decided to speak out in public to seek justice.
These allegations spread quickly on social media and news platforms, leading to strong reactions from political parties and the public. Many people expressed concern over the seriousness of the claims and demanded a proper investigation.
Arava Sridhar, however, has strongly denied all the allegations made against him. In a video message released to the media, he described the accusations as completely false and politically motivated. He claimed that false propaganda was being spread against him and that deepfake videos were being circulated to damage his reputation.
The MLA said he would take legal action against those responsible for what he called a malicious campaign to defame him. He maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing and expressed confidence that the truth would come out through proper investigation.
The MLA’s mother, Prameela, also came forward in his defense. She stated that the allegations against her son were deliberate and baseless. According to her, the family was being targeted unfairly, and false stories were being created to harm his political career.
Adding another angle to the controversy, Jana Sena leader Tatamshetti Nagendra made a counter allegation. He claimed that the complainant had demanded ₹25 crore from the MLA. He also said that the party had audio and video evidence related to threats allegedly made against Sridhar. These claims have further complicated the issue and made the situation more sensitive.
Meanwhile, the opposition YSR Congress Party has strongly reacted to the allegations. The party condemned the alleged actions of the Jana Sena MLA and accused the ruling coalition of failing to protect women. The issue has become a political flashpoint, with opposition leaders demanding immediate and strict action.
YSR Congress Party state women wing president and Member of Legislative Council Varudu Kalyani strongly condemned the alleged acts. She described the accusations as brutal and said that a woman government employee had allegedly been subjected to sexual assault, threats, and mental torture for nearly one and a half years.
Kalyani accused the coalition government of completely failing in its duty to ensure women’s safety. She alleged that ruling party MLAs were acting without fear due to the power they held. According to her, such incidents showed how women were being left unprotected under the current government.
She demanded that a suo motu case be registered against Arava Sridhar. She also called for his immediate arrest, suspension from the Jana Sena Party, and disqualification as an MLA. The YSR Congress Party has insisted that no one should be above the law and that strict action is necessary to send a strong message.
The case has now put the spotlight on political accountability, internal party discipline, and the role of institutions in handling allegations of sexual assault. While the Jana Sena Party has initiated an internal inquiry, legal and constitutional bodies may also play a key role as the situation develops.
As of now, the inquiry by the Jana Sena Party committee is awaited, and the Women’s Commission has assured action after verification. Both sides continue to stand firm on their claims. The coming days are expected to be crucial in determining the course of the case and its political impact.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of addressing complaints of sexual harassment seriously and ensuring that investigations are fair, transparent, and free from political pressure. The public now waits for facts to emerge through official inquiries, hoping that justice will be served based on truth and evidence.
Source: Hindustan Times
