After 'Kilos Of Makeup' Jibe, Andhra Home Minister Says She Was Targeted As A Woman And Dalit

Published 17 June 2026 · politics

After 'Kilos Of Makeup' Jibe, Andhra Home Minister Says She Was Targeted As A Woman And Dalit Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 16:20

After 'Kilos Of Makeup' Jibe, Andhra Home Minister Says She Was Targeted As A Woman And Dalit Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 16:20 IST Row erupts as YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath faces backlash over remarks on Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha. Deputy Chief Minister and YSRCP condemn the remarks. YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha (Image: X profiles) A political controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Gudivada Amarnath allegedly made remarks on state Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha’s appearance. Speaking at a public meeting on Wednesday, Amarnath reportedly claimed that TDP leader Anitha wore “kilos of makeup". In response, NDTV quoted Anitha, who called the remarks as more than a personal insult and said, “What a YSRCP leader said about me on camera, at a public meeting, was not merely an insult.

It was a vile, casteist attack aimed at humiliating a woman and a Dalit holding a constitutional office." The remark has also brought a strong reaction from TDP leaders who criticised the YSRCP leader for making sexist and disrespectful comments. TDP leader Nara Lokesh also condemned the remarks and accused the YSRCP of encouraging a toxic political culture. “The disgraceful misogynist remarks against Vangalapudi Anitha Garu expose the true character of the YSRCP," he said. NDTV quoted him saying that targeting a woman and a Dalit leader was unacceptable and demanded an apology from the YSRCP. In response to the incident, TDP women leaders staged protests and reportedly hit a flex banner of Gudivada Amarnath with eggs and slippers, while demanding an apology for the alleged remarks.

The incident has also been criticised by Deputy Chief Minister and Jansena chief Pawan Kalyan. “The remarks made against Home Minister Anitha are objectionable. Commenting on a woman’s attire and appearance amounts to insulting every ordinary woman," he said. Meanwhile, the YSRCP leaders have rejected the allegations and accused the government of diverting public attention from law and order issues. NDTV quoted YSRCP spokesperson Shyamala alleging that the Home Minister was using diversionary politics instead of addressing rising crime and public safety concerns in the state. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Andhra Pradesh, India, India First Published: June 17, 2026, 16:20 IST News india After 'Kilos Of Makeup' Jibe, Andhra Home Minister Says She Was Targeted As A Woman And Dalit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.