The episode involving the alleged illicit affairs of assistant commissioner of endowments Kalingiri Shanti and the accusation made by her husband, Madan Mohan, that she had given birth to a male child illegally, has provided much-needed sensational content for a section of the media loyal to the Telugu Desam Party.
Madan Mohan alleged that the baby was an illegitimate child of YSR Congress party general secretary and Rajya Sabha member V Vijay Sai Reddy. This allegation has added substantial fuel to the stories being circulated by pro-TDP channels.
Despite Sai Reddy addressing a press conference to clarify the situation, the media continues to pursue him, emphasizing Madan Mohan's claims.
On Saturday, the YSRCP general secretary took to social media platform X to explain his connection with Shanti. His explanation, which came across as a sort of apology, seemed to further intensify the media frenzy.
Sai Reddy stated that he felt no need to explain himself to certain television channels carrying baseless stories and to those forces masquerading as media.
“But as a public representative, I felt there was a need to give an explanation to the people,” he said.
He explained that he first met Shanti as the assistant endowments officer at the Sitammadhara office in Visakhapatnam in 2020.
“Since then, I have been treating her only as my daughter. I extended whatever help she sought as a father,” he said.
Sai Reddy admitted that when Shanti gave birth to a male child, he visited her house and blessed her when she came to his house in Tadepalli.
“I don’t have any illicit or illegal connections with any woman. I can take an oath to this effect in the presence of Lord Venkateshwara, whom I strongly believe in,” he asserted.
His post on social media platform X received mixed reactions.
One follower advised, “Where is the need to use such big words like taking an oath on Lord Venkateshwara, sir? I have faith in you. Just take the DNA test and throw the report in the face of the media.”
Another netizen commented that there was nothing for Sai Reddy to worry about, as TDP leaders are known for diversion tactics and fabricating sex scandals.
“There is no need to give any explanation, sir. Take care of your son, that’s all,” another follower remarked.
One follower questioned Sai Reddy’s claim of being a people’s representative since he was never elected by the people.
The follower also asked, “Why did you give Rs 2 crore to Shanti? Why did she name you as responsible for her pregnancy? What made you go to her residence and bless the child? Did you find her husband when you visited? Who is the father of the child?”
Another follower suggested, “It’s sad to come out and give an explanation at this age. To close this whole case, do the DNA test as requested by her husband and completely shut his mouth.”
