Gudivada Defends ‘Make-Up Minister’ remarks

Former Andhra Pradesh minister and YSR Congress Party leader Gudivada Amarnath on Tuesday appeared before the State Women’s Commission over his remark on Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha.

Later, talking to media persons, he clarified that his "make-up minister" remark was political satire directed at the Home Minister's functioning and not at women in general.

Stating that he respects women, he defended his remarks.

Amarnath said he appeared before the Women's Commission out of respect for the Constitution, the law, and democratic institutions.

The former minister asserted that he had committed no wrongdoing and stood firmly by his remarks.

Amarnath said he answered all three questions raised by the Commission chairperson and also brought to the Commission's attention the repeated derogatory remarks made by Home Minister Anitha against former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSRCP leaders, and members of his family.

He also stated that his criticism of Anitha referred to the neglect of her responsibilities as Home Minister while focusing on political activities. He also explained that his reference to the bulletproof vehicle was meant to highlight that Anitha now occupies the ministerial position he once held.

He reiterated that he would not respond to imaginary interpretations created by TDP leaders but remained committed to every word he had spoken.

Amarnath questioned why the Home Minister remained silent over crimes against women and children, missing children, attacks on women public representatives, and the deteriorating law-and-order situation, while choosing to create political controversy over his remarks.

He said he was raised by his mother after losing his father at the age of 15, belongs to a family led by women, and is the father of two daughters, making it unnecessary for anyone to teach him how to respect women. Amarnath warned that YSRCP would respond firmly to abusive personal attacks in the future.

He asserted that the coalition government's tenure was nearing its end, expressing confidence that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's proposed padayatra would mark the beginning of the coalition's political downfall.