The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leadership is learnt to have taken a serious view of the allegations against Pathapatnam MLA Mamidi Govinda Rao, who has been accused of verbally abusing a journalist over a news report.
The MLA’s conduct has drawn criticism from journalist associations, and the issue is understood to have come to the notice of the TDP high command.
According to party sources, TDP Andhra Pradesh president Palla Srinivasa Rao has advised Govinda Rao to behave in a dignified manner while dealing with the media.
He is also said to have directed the MLA to understand the responsibilities of public office, apologise to the journalist, and submit an explanation regarding the incident.
The controversy reportedly stems from a news report related to government compensation granted to the family of a man who died in a lightning strike.
Shimmayya, a resident of Pindruvada village in Hiramandalam mandal of Srikakulam district, died after being struck by lightning on October 10, 2025.
The government later sanctioned an ex gratia payment of â¹4 lakh to his family. Orders to this effect were reportedly issued on Thursday by Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, and the government order (GO) was uploaded to the official website.
A journalist is said to have published a report based on the official order. Following this, MLA Govinda Rao allegedly telephoned the journalist and abused him for publishing the story without informing him.
The incident triggered outrage among journalist unions, which condemned the MLA’s alleged behaviour and demanded accountability.
As the matter escalated, the TDP leadership is said to have sought an explanation from Govinda Rao.
Party sources said he has been warned and told to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.