Family Dispute Turned Political Weapon, Claims Former Minister Jogi Ramesh

YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Jogi Ramesh has strongly objected to what he described as the politicisation of a personal family dispute involving his son Rajeev and daughter-in-law Meghana. He alleged that political opponents were using the issue to target his family and damage his personal reputation.

Speaking at a media conference in Vijayawada, Ramesh said he had fulfilled his responsibility as a father by conducting his son’s marriage and that family members had made several attempts to reconcile the couple after differences emerged. However, as the dispute intensified, Rajeev filed a divorce petition, he said. Ramesh described Meghana as being like his own daughter and said the developments had caused him considerable distress.

Ramesh questioned the registration of an FIR against 11 members of his family, particularly the introduction of allegations relating to religious conversion. He said there was nothing wrong with his wife reading the Bible or listening to the teachings of Jesus Christ. At the same time, he stressed that his family regularly visits temples in Tirupati and Vijayawada and also follows Hindu traditions, including performing yajnas.

The former minister further alleged that AI-generated fake audio and videos had been circulated through the ITDP X account over the past month. He criticised the repeated discussion of the private lives of BC leaders in the media, calling it inappropriate.

Ramesh also alleged the involvement of TDP MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad in the matter. He released a video which, according to him, showed Meghana’s family members visiting Krishna Prasad’s office before filing a complaint against Rajeev. Ramesh alleged that the FIR followed the meeting and questioned whether this indicated political involvement.

He said he had never commented on the personal affairs of other political families and cited the families of NTR, ANR and Chiranjeevi as examples.

Ramesh urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh to stop politicising family disputes and said political differences should be fought on political grounds. He maintained that he had committed no wrongdoing and was ready to face any consequences.