Maverick Telugu Desam Party MLA and state assembly deputy speaker K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, who stoked controversy by differing with deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan over the allegations against Bhimavaram deputy superintendent of police Jayasurya, was on Thursday forced to eat his own words.
Following strong reactions from the Jana Sena Party workers and fans of Pawan Kalyan on social media, Raju issued a clarificatory statement on Thursday during his visit to Visakhapatnam.
He said he had only spoken “based on the information available” to him and not to defend the DSP.
“I said what I knew. I stay in the constituency five days a week, and no one has ever complained to me about him,” he explained.
The deputy speaker added that he neither intended to contradict Pawan Kalyan nor to shield the officer.
“If the inquiry finds fault, action will be taken,” he said.
He reiterated that his comments were not a “clean chit” but a personal assessment.
“My information may be correct or incorrect — just as the deputy chief minister’s complaint may or may not be correct,” Raju said, adding that Pawan Kalyan had made the complaint “as a responsible minister and representative of the people.”
The controversy has unfolded in West Godavari district after Pawan Kalyan reportedly lodged a complaint with the district SP against Bhimavaram DSP Jayasurya, accusing him of misconduct.
The issue escalated when Raju, who represents the same region, publicly defended the DSP, describing him as “a good officer” — remarks that triggered anger among Pawan Kalyan’s supporters and a wave of online trolling.
Attempting to pacify agitated Pawan Kalyan fans, the deputy speaker said he fully supported and agreed with Pawan’s stance.
“I am myself a fan of Pawan Kalyan. Some people have misunderstood my remarks,” he said.
His clarification now appears to be a damage-control move aimed at easing tensions within the TDP–Jana Sena coalition.