'Do Politics Like Men': BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy's Sexist Remarks To Turncoats Spark Outrage

Kaushik Reddy's remarks also come shortly after another controversy involving his party’s working president, K.T. Rama Rao.

Telangana politics witnessed a new controversy on Wednesday after BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy made a sexist comment during a press conference in Hyderabad triggering widespread condemnation. Reddy insulted several defectors from his party with his statement and also mentioned to offer "saris and bangles" to the male MLAs who left the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to join the Congress, implying they were "no longer men."

Reddy specifically targeted MLAs including Danam Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari and others who had recently defected. He said, "MLAs like Danam Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari, and all the ten who left the party should move around wearing saris and bangles. If you are brave enough, you should do politics like a man. If you don’t resign before the Speaker’s decision, we will definitely send saris and bangles to your house through courier.”

Following his remarks, public outrage and political tensions escalated, prompting a heavy police presence in front of Reddy's house in Hyderabad on Thursday to maintain order.

The controversy comes amid a critical time in Telangana's political landscape. The Telangana High Court recently ordered action within four weeks regarding the disqualification of MLAs who defected from the BRS to other parties.

Kaushik Reddy's remarks also come shortly after another controversy involving his party’s working president, K.T. Rama Rao. A few days ago, Rama Rao made a controversial statement mocking free travel for women by suggesting that the party had no objection if women performed "break dance or record dance" in buses, a comment that was criticised as being demeaning. He later apologised for his statement.

Meanwhile, tension gripped Kondapur, Hyderabad, as a dramatic showdown unfolded between defected MLA Arekapudi Gandhi and P. Kaushik Reddy. The confrontation was sparked by a bitter war of words that escalated when Gandhi, accompanied by his supporters, arrived at Reddy’s residence, daring him to step outside.