Senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao has sparked controversy within the TDP-led alliance in Andhra Pradesh by making explosive allegations against Jana Sena Party (JSP) MLA Chirribabu Balaraju from Polavaram.
The issue began when Uma reportedly came across a YouTube video accusing Balaraju of amassing ₹100 crore through corrupt means.
He then called fellow Jana Sena leader Karate Rambabu to discuss the matter. Their phone conversation was recorded and has since gone viral, exposing internal tensions and concerns about corruption within the ruling alliance—barely a year after it came to power.
In the leaked audio, Uma is heard questioning whether JSP chief Pawan Kalyan is aware of Balaraju’s alleged actions and whether any corrective steps are being taken.
He also made sharp comments about TDP MP Sanna Satish and BJP MP C. M. Ramesh, sarcastically suggesting that the alleged ₹100 crore scam should be treated as a "case study in Indian history."
Rambabu responded by expressing his own concerns, saying that governance systems no longer function as they once did and hinting at deeper problems within the district administration.
Both leaders agreed that the alliance's image was taking a hit, with Rambabu implying that Balaraju was not the only issue.
Uma stressed that the problem transcended party lines and warned of the long-term damage such controversies could cause.
He claimed Balaraju had 82 cases filed against him and admitted that his own political future was uncertain, though he hoped things would eventually fall into place.
He said he reached out to Rambabu because he was deeply pained by the turn of events, especially after playing a key role in Balaraju’s political rise.
Rambabu acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and said he was working to bring things under control, warning that such developments could seriously harm the alliance.
When Uma asked if Pawan Kalyan was aware of these issues, Rambabu said he was unsure and that no one from the party leadership had contacted him about it.
Uma then compared Pawan's silence to Chandrababu Naidu’s more hands-on leadership style, saying the TDP chief had always respected and communicated with leaders like Rambabu.
Rambabu revealed that Chandrababu had once invited him to join the TDP, and that former MP Kavuri Sambasiva Rao even went so far as to cancel his Jana Sena membership.
He added that C. M. Ramesh and Sanna Satish were present when that invitation took place.
Uma concluded by noting that Sanna Satish was now in a favorable position, while C. M. Ramesh maintained close ties with Amit Shah.
Satish, he added, was aligned with Nara Lokesh, while Rambabu had been left to manage a politically sensitive area like Polavaram.
