The Jana Sena Party headed by Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan was on Tuesday caught in an embarrassing situation with a woman government employee released a video message accusing party MLA and government whip Arava Sridhar of harassment, intimidation, and exploitation.
According to the woman, who claimed she is employed in the Railway Koduru area, the MLA allegedly contacted her through Facebook about one-and-a-half years ago and gradually developed a personal relationship with her.
In her video statement, the woman alleged that the legislator pressured her into maintaining an extramarital relationship and threatened to “ruin her life” if she refused to comply.
She further claimed that he demanded nude video calls and repeatedly intimidated her by warning that she and her son would be left vulnerable.
The woman alleged that on one occasion, the MLA reportedly took her in a car to an isolated location and sexually assaulted her. She claimed that he later threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.
She also alleged that she was physically assaulted multiple times and was forced to undergo abortions on five occasions over the last 18 months.
The victim further stated that the MLA promised to marry her and asked her to divorce her husband, but later refused to take responsibility.
She claimed that the legislator even contacted her husband directly, threatening him with harm if he did not agree to divorce.
Following these developments, she said her family distanced themselves from her, and her husband left with their child.
She claimed she has been living alone for the past six months.
In the video, the woman alleged that the MLA abandoned her around 20 days ago and continued issuing threats.
The allegations have triggered widespread discussion, though there has been no official response yet from MLA Arava Sridhar or the Jana Sena Party leadership.
Police authorities have not confirmed whether a formal complaint has been registered.
Soon after the allegations created tremors on social media, Pawan Kalyan called for a report form the local party leaders after a due inquiry.
Sources said the Jana Sena chief took serious note of the rape charges against the MLA.
However, Sridhar’s mother held a press conference late in the evening and dismissed the allegations against him. She said the woman was trying to blackmail her son and tarnish his good image.
The issue came as a big weapon to the opposition YSRCP. Party’s state women wing president and MLC Varudu Kalyani strongly condemned brutality of Sridhar subjecting a women employee to rape, threats, and mental torture for nearly one-and-a-half years.
She said the coalition government had completely failed to protect women, allowing ruling party MLAs to act with impunity under the intoxication of power.
She demanded that a suo motu case be registered against Arava Sridhar, his immediate arrest, suspension from JanaSena, and disqualification as an MLA.
