Published Dec 30, 2024 | 7:00 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 30, 2024 | 7:00 PM
Politically, 2024 was an eventful year filled with drama, controversies, alleged scams, and much more; while political leaders strive to remain in the limelight, there are occasions when they prefer to avoid it, especially if it leads to negative publicity.
Here’s a look at South Indian politicians who made headlines in 2024 for their remarks, decisions, and alleged involvement in scams.
The year 2024 was tumultuous for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, defined by both notable achievements and intense controversies. While his government celebrated the successful rollout of the five guarantee schemes, cementing Congress’s hold over Karnataka, it also faced serious allegations that shook the political landscape.
The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scandal, implicating Siddaramaiah and his family, triggered widespread outrage. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot sanctioned an investigation, a move upheld by the Special Court for People’s Representatives, which tasked the Lokayukta with submitting a detailed report by 24 December.
Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate reportedly filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and launched a probe, a step vehemently opposed by Siddaramaiah.
Adding to the challenges, Siddaramaiah took a firm stand against the Narendra Modi-led Union Government, accusing it of fiscal injustice against Karnataka. He led protests in Delhi, highlighting disparities in tax devolution and the denial of grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
The year proved to be a watershed moment for Prajwal Revanna, grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, as well as his family.
The former Hassan MP found himself embroiled in a major controversy that tarnished his political career and cast a long shadow over the JD(S) party in Karnataka.
In April 2024, just weeks before the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, shocking videos purportedly showing Prajwal Revanna sexually harassing multiple women, including government officials, surfaced on social media.
The videos sparked widespread outrage and dominated national headlines. As the controversy unfolded, Prajwal left the country, fleeing abroad for nearly six weeks in May.
Upon his return to Bengaluru on 31 May, Prajwal was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with probing the allegations. The SIT unearthed substantial evidence against him, including accounts of harassment towards women employed as domestic workers in his household. The charges were serious enough to warrant his continued imprisonment, casting a dark cloud over the Revanna family.
The scandal didn’t stop with Prajwal. His father, JD(S) senior leader HD Revanna, and mother, Bhavani Revanna, were also implicated in the case. Adding to the family’s woes, Prajwal’s brother, Suraj Revanna, faced accusations of sexually harassing men, further deepening the family’s troubles.
The fallout from these allegations was catastrophic for the JD(S). Prajwal’s political career came to a screeching halt as he lost his seat in Hassan, a JD(S) stronghold for nearly 25 years. The scandal significantly eroded public trust in the party, leading to a major electoral defeat in the district.
The Revanna family’s reputation suffered irreparable damage, and the JD(S) faced one of its most challenging periods in decades.
Congress’ Ballari Rural MLA B Nagendra was brimming with pride over being the Cabinet minister and crushing the BJP in the Ballari district, however, it was short-lived as he was compelled to resign from his cabinet berth over the allegations of a multi-crore Valmiki Corporation scam.
The alleged multi-crore scandal came to light after Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation’s Superintendent Chandrasekaran P committed suicide on 26 May, leaving an eight-page death note detailing the misappropriation of funds meant for the development of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Two days after the death of Chandrasekaran, the first FIR on the Valmiki Corporation was registered at High Ground Police Station on 28 May. Subsequently, the state government formed an SIT to probe the alleged irregularities in the corporation.
As the FIR registered and mounting pressure from the BJP, Nagendra tendered his resignation for his cabinet berth on 6 June 2024. He was the first cabinet minister to step down over the allegations in the Siddaramaiah government.
The ED registered ECIR on the alleged misappropriation of funds in the Valmiki Corporation based on the complaint filed by Union Bank of India and arrested Nagendra on 12 July 2024. He was released only after the Special Court for People’s Representatives granted him bail in October 2024.
It highlighted in its charge sheet that the laundered money was used for the Lok Sabha polls in Telangana and Karnataka.
In 2024, BJP leader and Bijapur city MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal remained a highly contentious figure within the party’s Karnataka unit.
Known for his sharp and controversial statements, Yatnal’s year was marked by his ongoing friction with the state leadership. He publicly criticised former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra, accusing them of engaging in “adjustment politics” with Congress, particularly Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
This outspoken stance led to him receiving multiple show-cause notices from the BJP’s Central Disciplinary Committee, his latest being the fifth since his re-entry into the party in 2019. Despite the reprimands, Yatnal has remained defiant, continuing to challenge the Yediyurappa family’s influence within the party.
Yatnal led protests against the alleged encroachment of farmers’ lands by the Waqf Board, a stance that garnered backing from BJP’s central leadership, including Union Ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Pralhad Joshi.
However, his position faced strong opposition from the state leadership, particularly from Vijayendra’s faction. Yatnal’s aggressive stance on the Waqf issue fuelled tensions, especially among farmers whose lands were reportedly claimed as Waqf property.
This led to the Congress government withdrawing notices claiming ownership over farmers’ land. Despite the government’s clarification that no farmer’s land would be seized, Yatnal continued to demand that Waqf properties be declared national assets.
Amidst the internal party conflict and ongoing protests, Yatnal’s actions stirred significant unrest, and calls for his expulsion from the party, particularly from Vijayendra’s faction, became louder.
The year 2024 marked a defining chapter in Chandrababu Naidu’s political career, with significant developments at both the state and national levels.
As the TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh’s longest-serving chief minister, Naidu not only staged a spectacular comeback in the state but also played a decisive role in ensuring the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) retained power at the Centre.
After the BJP fell short of the majority mark in the Lok Sabha elections, securing only 240 seats, Naidu, along with Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, extended critical support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This alliance enabled Modi to take oath as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, despite the BJP’s inability to independently form the government.
In Andhra Pradesh, Naidu achieved a resounding victory in the state assembly elections, with TDP winning 135 out of 144 contested seats. The TDP’s alliance with Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party and the BJP proved to be a winning formula, paving the way for Naidu to assume the chief minister’s chair for the fourth time. This victory reinforced his position as a stalwart of Andhra Pradesh politics, with a cumulative tenure of over 14 years in office.
However, Naidu’s tenure was marred by controversy when his government accused the previous YSRCP regime of adulterating the iconic Tirupati Laddus with substances like beef fat, fish oil, and pig lard.
The allegations caused widespread unrest among devotees but lacked solid evidence. The Supreme Court criticised the Naidu government for politicising religious matters and dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the issue.
2024 marked a transformative year for actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan, whose political journey with the Jana Sena Party reached unprecedented heights.
In the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections, Kalyan’s party, in alliance with the BJP and TDP, achieved an extraordinary 100 percent success rate. Contesting 21 seats as part of the alliance, the Jana Sena Party secured victories in all constituencies, setting a unique record in the state’s political history.
This remarkable performance propelled Pawan Kalyan into the Deputy Chief Minister’s role in Chandrababu Naidu’s government. He was entrusted with key portfolios, including Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Rural Water Supply.
Pawan Kalyan made headlines for his vocal stance on issues tied to religion and governance. He spearheaded an 11-day penance against the alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddus and waged war against several people, calling it an assault on Sanatana Dharma.
He didn’t shy away from critiquing his allies. He expressed dissatisfaction with the law-and-order situation under Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi, claiming he could have handled the department more effectively.
Pawan Kalyan also drew flak for praising Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “bulldozer justice” and emphasising his preference for a “no-nonsense” approach to dealing with criminals.
Former Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao (85) hit national headlines on 3 July when he returned to the Congress, quitting his decade-old affiliation to BRS in Telangana.
Rao did not go alone; he also took his daughter and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Mayor Gadwal Vijaya Laxmi. However, Rao’s son Viplav Kumar continued to be associated with BRS.
Before joining the BRS in 2014, Rao was associated with the grand old party for over five decades. He was also the president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee when YSR Rajashekar Reddy was at the helm. He was one of the close aides of BRS founder K Chandrasekhar Rao, who is currently the opposition leader of the Telangana Legislative Assembly.
After pledging allegiance to BRS, he was elevated to Rajya Sabha for two consecutive terms between 2014 and 2024. He tendered his resignation to Rajya Sabha membership on 4 July. On rejoining the Congress, Rao was appointed advisor to the Telangana government, providing cabinet status.
Kerala’s Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, began the year with a storm. His remarks targeting bishops and priests who attended the Prime Minister’s Christmas feast drew sharp criticism.
Cherian sarcastically stated that the clergy got “goosebumps” from drinking grape wine and eating cake. Facing backlash from the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, he apologized and withdrew the controversial “cake, wine, and goosebumps” remarks.
In July, Cherian found himself in hot water again, this time for comments on Kerala’s SSLC examinations. He suggested that many students passing the exam lacked basic reading and writing skills, calling it a consequence of liberal evaluations. Education Minister V Sivankutty promptly countered, emphasising Kerala’s excellence in education. This sparked a heated debate about the state’s academic standards.
Cherian is no stranger to controversy — he resigned in 2022 after derogatory remarks about the Indian Constitution. While police had filed a closure report, the Kerala High Court recently ordered a Crime Branch probe.
Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) leader KS Hariharan shocked the public during a UDF rally in Kerala in May with an offensive comment.
He stated, “Will someone make a porn video of the teacher (referring to CPI(M)’s KK Shailaja)? It would be understandable if it was Manju Warrier’s porn video.” The remark drew widespread criticism, forcing Hariharan to apologise via Facebook.
Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan courted controversy in September for remarks about Malappuram district during an interview with The Hindu. Vijayan claimed that gold and hawala money seized from the district were funding anti-state and anti-national activities.
The comments sparked protests, with critics accusing him of stigmatising Malappuram. Adding to the intrigue, The Hindu later revealed that a PR agency had been involved in the interview — a claim denied by the chief minister and CPI(M).
In September, the CPI(M) cut ties with PV Anvar, a mutinous independent legislator. According to party state secretary MV Govindan, Anvar’s public criticism of the party and the Kerala government warranted disciplinary action.
Anvar responded by launching his own political outfit, the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), and has since targeted the chief minister and Home Department in a series of allegations.
CPI(M) leader and former Kannur district panchayat president PP Divya faced severe backlash in October after an ADM, Naveen Babu, was found dead by suicide following a farewell meeting.
Divya was accused of levelling corruption allegations against Babu during the event, allegedly causing him mental distress. The family has demanded a CBI inquiry, alleging foul play.
October saw two high-profile political switches. PP Sarin, Congress’ former digital media convener, defected to CPI(M) after being expelled. He later contested as an LDF candidate in Palakkad but lost.
Sandeep Varrier, a former BJP spokesperson, joined Congress, citing personal humiliation and lack of leadership support in the BJP. Varrier’s move provided a much-needed boost for Congress.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi triggered controversy in November with inflammatory comments about the Waqf Board, calling it a “four-letter uncivilised entity”. His remarks during an NDA campaign in Wayanad sparked complaints for allegedly inciting communal discord.
Adding fuel to the fire, BJP leader K Gopalakrishnan suggested that the Waqf Board might even claim land associated with Vavar Swamy, a revered figure in Sabarimala’s lore. Critics slammed the comments as attempts to communalize a symbol of religious harmony.
In December, CPI(M) veteran MM Mani stirred the political pot with a fiery speech advocating retaliation against physical assaults.
Mani admitted to being directly involved in altercations in the past and declared, “The movement cannot survive on speeches alone.” His remarks reignited concerns about political violence in Kerala.
Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan sparked controversy after allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting in Thandapathu in the Thoothukudi district.
The remarks, made at a DMK party workers’ event on 22 March, drew sharp criticism from the BJP and sparked a political storm.
During his speech, Radhakrishnan reportedly used expletives in Tamil while referring to the Prime Minister, prompting outrage from BJP leaders and the public. The comments were allegedly in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier speech in Salem, where he praised the late Tamil Nadu chief minister K Kamaraj.
The BJP swiftly condemned the minister’s language, calling it “vile and unpardonable” and accusing the DMK of fostering a culture of disrespect in public discourse. BJP leaders also criticised DMK MP Kanimozhi, who was present on stage during the event, for not intervening or denouncing the remarks.
In response to the incident, the Thoothukudi police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Radhakrishnan under Section 294B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to using obscene language in public. The case was filed based on a complaint by a local BJP functionary.
Observers note that the incident could further strain relations between the BJP and the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, which have often clashed over governance and ideological differences.
While Radhakrishnan’s remarks have triggered outrage, they have also put a spotlight on the need for civil language and mutual respect in political engagements.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has found himself at the centre of political storms over recent months, drawing criticism for controversial remarks and actions that have escalated tensions between him and the DMK-led state government.
In September, Ravi stirred nationwide debate by declaring that secularism is a European concept with no relevance to India. Speaking at a public event, he argued that “dharma” has always guided the Indian way of life, challenging the constitutional ideal of secularism.
His comments were criticised by opposition leaders, who accused him of undermining India’s foundational values and promoting divisive ideologies.
October witnessed a fresh confrontation between Ravi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK. Stalin. The dispute erupted after a government event hosted by DD Chennai allegedly presented a distorted rendition of the Tamil Nadu state anthem, which omitted references to the glory of “Dravida” land — a term deeply rooted in the state’s cultural and political identity.
Stalin criticised the Governor, questioning whether he was acting as a “Governor” or an “Aryan.” Ravi fired back, accusing the chief minister of making a “racist remark” and fostering divisive rhetoric.
In December, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Deputy General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna stirred a political storm during the launch of “Ellorukkumana Thalaivar Ambedkar” (Ambedkar: A Leader for All) in Chennai.
Sharing the stage with actor Vijay, Arjuna delivered a fiery speech tackling ideological leadership, caste-based politics, and the “monarchic” nature of Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
Arjuna’s bold call for governance rooted in ideology rather than hereditary privilege drew applause from many but sparked unease within his own party. His pointed criticism of caste-driven electoral strategies, seen as a veiled critique of ally DMK, triggered a swift backlash.
Fearing damage to its alliance with the DMK, VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan acted decisively, suspending Arjuna from the party for six months, who later resigned from the party.
The year 2024 has been tumultuous for KT Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the BRS and former minister of Telangana. Political turbulence intensified after Congress took over the governance of the state, placing KTR and the BRS under the spotlight of controversy.
One of the most significant challenges came with the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) filing an FIR against KTR in connection with alleged financial irregularities during the organization of the Formula-E race.
This added to a series of allegations and legal troubles faced by prominent BRS leaders throughout the year.
Earlier, BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy from Huzurabad was booked for criminal intimidation and obstructing a public servant, while former minister T Harish Rao faced accusations in a phone-tapping case.
On 19 December 2024, the ACB officially registered a case against KTR and senior government officials, alleging misappropriation of ₹55 crore in government funds paid to a foreign company for the Formula-E race during the regime of KTR’s father K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR). A day later, the Telangana High Court permitted the investigation to proceed but directed authorities not to arrest KTR during the probe.
KTR, meanwhile, levelled serious allegations against the Congress, including claims of siphoning funds from Karnataka’s Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation Ltd to finance the Lok Sabha elections and engaging in phone tapping.
In 2024, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party, the YSRCP, faced a turbulent year marked by a crushing defeat in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections.
The party’s poor performance further compounded its woes, as it struggled to recover from the electoral setback. However, the situation took a dramatic turn for the worse in November when the Adani Group was indicted by a US court on bribery charges, adding salt to the injury.
The court filings, which implicated Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani and others, alleged that bribes amounting to approximately ₹1,750 crore were paid to top Andhra Pradesh government officials to facilitate the purchase of solar power by the state’s distribution companies. The bribery allegations quickly became a focal point of political debate, with Jagan Mohan Reddy being blamed.
In his defence, Jagan Mohan Reddy denied the charges, dismissing them as based on hearsay and that he had not been named in the indictment. Reddy also acknowledged meeting Gautam Adani in August 2021 but insisted that he had met with several business tycoons during his tenure as Chief Minister, not just Adani.
