Hyderabad: Former minister T. Harish Rao filed a defamation case against two Congress leaders over allegations that he practised black magic. The Harish Rao defamation case named Mahesh Kumar Goud and Addanki Dayakar over statements attributed to them. Rao, the BRS Deputy Floor Leader, disclosed the legal action while speaking outside the Nampally court for elected representatives on Thursday.
He said the case was supported by evidence and that the court had accepted the petition. According to Rao, the court directed him to appear next Wednesday to record statements. “We have taken the legal route and filed a defamation case backed by evidence,” Rao said.
He warned of strict legal action against those making such allegations. Rao also described the claims as an attempt to divert attention from the state government’s failures.
Harish Rao defamation case follows black magic allegations
Rao said routine temple visits and prayers had been portrayed as occult practices. He rejected that portrayal and criticised the nature of the political discourse. “Political discourse cannot stoop lower than this,” Rao said.
He accused the ruling Congress of using personal attacks to avoid accountability on key issues. He cited irrigation, power supply and unfulfilled election promises among those issues.
The allegations and Rao’s response came amid continuing political exchanges between the BRS and the ruling Congress in Telangana.