Here are some of the major South Indian politicians who made headlines in the past year.
Published Dec 31, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 31, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Pinarayi Vijayan, DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Pawan Kalyan and Vijay.
The year 2025 witnessed several controversies and controversial remarks by South Indian politicians. None of the five states lagged in creating political controversies, with some even making national headlines and igniting nationwide discussions. Here are some of the major names that made headlines in the past year.
Pawan Kalyan
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan sparked an inter-state political row in December 2025 after claiming coconut plantations in Konaseema were devastated due to the “evil eye” of people from Telangana. The remark, made during a public meeting in East Godavari district, triggered outrage across Telangana, with Congress leaders demanding an unconditional apology. Some suggested he sell his Hyderabad properties and relocate permanently to Andhra Pradesh. The comment, widely shared on social media, was perceived as a superstitious and sweeping insult aimed at Telangana’s people, reigniting sensitivities lingering since the 2014 bifurcation and prompting threats of film bans.
Nandamuri Balakrishna
TDP MLA and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna courted controversy in September 2025 after calling former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy a “psycho” on the Assembly floor. During heated exchanges, he dismissed BJP MLA Kamineni Srinivas’s account of a 2020 incident as “a complete lie” and downplayed megastar Chiranjeevi’s influence, claiming “Chiranjeevi was never firm with Jagan.” The remarks triggered strong protests from YSRCP cadres outside the House, whilst absent YSRCP MLAs’ supporters reminded the public that Jagan had personally hosted Chiranjeevi. The incident required damage control from coalition partners and drew public clarification from actor Chiranjeevi himself.
PV Midhun Reddy
YSRCP MP PV Midhun Reddy was arrested in 2025 in connection with the alleged ₹3,500 crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam. Named as Accused No. 4, he faced charges of policy manipulation, creating shell companies to route kickbacks, and facilitating financial operations during YSRCP’s 2019-2024 tenure. After the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail petition in July, the SIT issued a lookout circular and arrested him following seven hours of interrogation in Vijayawada. He was among 12 arrested in the case involving alleged corruption in the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited, with investigators accusing him of managing financial operations and facilitating policy-level favours.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy faced multiple cases in 2025, most notably the liquor policy scandal. The SIT filed chargesheets alleging he received monthly kickbacks of ₹50-60 crore between 2019-2024, though not formally listed as an accused. The second 124-page chargesheet in August named three more individuals, including his CMO Secretary K Dhanunjay Reddy and Officer on Special Duty Krishna Mohan Reddy, alleging they facilitated illicit fund movements. The investigation uncovered ₹11 crore cash seizures near Hyderabad and elaborate money laundering through shell companies. Jagan countered by accusing the TDP-led coalition of fabricating evidence, misusing institutions, and rolling back his government’s reforms.
Siddaramaiah
In 2025, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made headlines several times, including the alleged rumours of a leadership tussle with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and the MUDA land allotment. Even though both leaders publicly denied any issues between them, rumours of a power-sharing agreement have been rife in the state.
DK Shivakumar
Following the 2023 Assembly elections, it was widely reported that DK Shivakumar wanted to be the chief minister, but the Congress high command convinced him to be the deputy chief minister with a rumoured promise that he would be elevated later. In 2025, when the party completed half its term in power, speculation of a leadership change arose. While several Congress leaders demanded he be made the chief minister, he maintained that he would abide by the decision of the party. Shivakumar was also featured in an ED charge sheet in the National Herald case, which was recently quashed by a Delhi court.
CT Ravi
BJP leader CT Ravi made headlines in 2025 following his controversial remarks. In September, the Maddur police in the Mandya district registered a case against Ravi, after he made provocative remarks targeting the Muslim community during a Ganesha visarjan rally. Earlier, in May, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the proceedings against Ravi in connection with a case involving alleged derogatory remarks made against Karnataka Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. The controversy began in December 2024 when an FIR was filed based on a complaint by Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, accusing CT Ravi of using inappropriate language against her in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
BS Yediyurappa
Former Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa has been embroiled in a case registered under the POCSO Act against him. Yediyurappa has been booked under the POCSO Act and Section 354 A (Sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on a complaint by the mother (now deceased) of a 17-year-old girl who alleged that he molested her daughter during a meeting at his residence in Dollars Colony in Bengaluru. The case was registered in March 2024, and the Supreme Court stayed the trial in December 2025.
Priyank Kharge
Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge made headlines in the second half of 2025 with his action against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), especially after advocating legal remedies against the government employees appearing for the organisation’s activities. He had also claimed that he and his family had been subjected to relentless death threats and abusive calls following his public call to ban RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and public institutions.
G Parameshwara
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara courted controversy in April 2025 over his insensitive comments regarding a viral video of a man molesting two women on a public road in Bengaluru. He had said that in a big city like Bengaluru, “incidents like this take place here and there”. Later, he expressed regret over the statement.
KN Rajanna
In March 2025, KN Rajanna, then the Karnataka Cooperation Minister, had publicly claimed that there were attempts to honeytrap him. Rajanna alleged in the state Assembly on 20 March that a gang had attempted to honey-trap him and 48 other MLAs across party lines. Later, in August, he resigned as a minister, reportedly following directions from the Congress high command, after he openly criticised his own party over alleged voter irregularities during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Basangouda Patil Yatnal
Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was expelled from the BJP for six years in March 2025 after violating party discipline. Despite a show-cause notice on 10 February 2025, he continued to oppose party decisions, including publicly demanding the removal of BY Vijayendra as the state president of the saffron party. After the expulsion, he said the party rewarded him for calling a spade a spade and that certain vested interests played their part in furthering their agenda successfully.
PV Anvar
PV Anwar, who was an independent MLA supported by the LDF from Nilambur in Kerala’s Malabar region, dominated headlines in 2025, shaking the state’s political landscape with his sharp criticisms against CPI(M) and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Later, he joined the Trinamool Congress. Now, with the Assembly elections just months away, he has thrown his weight behind the Congress-led UDF.
Rahul Mamkootathil
Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil resigned as the state chief of the Youth Congress and was later expelled from the Congress after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct were raised against him since August 2025. Currently, he is on bail in two cases. Rahul has been claiming that the relationship was consensual and the complaint politically motivated.
Pinarayi Vijayan
The year also saw several controversies involving Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) notice regarding KIIFB masala bonds. However, the high court has stayed the ED proceedings. The year also saw the Opposition targeting him over the Income Tax notice to his daughter Veena’s company, CMRL and an alleged ED notice to his son Vivek — which they have denied.
Shashi Tharoor
The Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram has been in the media focus over his comments supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP policies, and differences of opinion with his own party. Further, a political controversy erupted after an NGO announced that he would be conferred with an award named after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue VD Savarkar. However, he denied the award.
ND Appachan
The former Wayad District Congress Committee (DCC) president faced backlash over the continued suicide of party colleagues from the district. He was removed from the post after Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed displeasure over the developments. A party leader had named him and other district Congress leaders in a suicide note, holding them responsible for his death.
Suresh Gopi
Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi made headlines in 2025 over several controversial remarks and the alleged voter fraud in his 2024 Lok Sabha election victory. Gopi also sparked a controversy after suggesting that the betterment of tribal communities would be guaranteed only if the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was led by members of the privileged caste communities.
B Gopalakrishnan
BJP leader B Gopalakrishnan had made headlines in August 2025 after his claim that there was nothing wrong with adding voters to a constituency that the saffron party wanted to win. He has said the BJP would add voters from even Jammu and Kashmir by making them stay in the constituency for a year. His speech was made prominent again in November after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi used it in a press conference claiming that the BJP has been engaged in vote theft during elections.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar
BJP’s Kerala unit president and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar was caught in an allegation of irregularities in a Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land allotment in 1995, involving BPL. Both Chandrasekhar and the company denied any wrongdoing.
Seeman
At a press conference held in March 2025, journalists questioned Seeman, leader of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, about a sexual harassment complaint made against him by former actor Vijayalakshmi. Instead of addressing the allegation directly, Seeman made a crude and derogatory remark about women, saying, “Did I kidnap a woman of a certain age and rape her in a cornfield? Why is everyone making such a big issue out of this?” His statement triggered widespread outrage, with women’s groups, political parties, and civil society organisations condemning the remark. Critics said it reflected deep misogyny and was unbecoming of a political party leader, especially when responding to allegations of sexual misconduct.
K Ponmudy
In April 2025, during the centenary celebrations of veteran Dravidar Kazhagam leader Thiruvarur Thangarasu in Chennai, former forest minister K Ponmudy delivered a speech recalling his college days. While narrating an incident related to an “adults-only” debate competition, Ponmudy spoke in a manner that many described as sexually explicit, derogatory towards women, and defamatory towards religious beliefs. His remarks were widely criticised across political and social platforms. Notably, senior DMK leaders, including the party’s Deputy General Secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, publicly condemned the speech. Following sustained backlash, Ponmudy was stripped of both his ministerial position and party post within days.
Kamal Haasan
In May 2025, actor and politician Kamal Haasan sparked controversy while speaking at the audio launch of the film Thug Life in Chennai. He stated that the Kannada language was born from Tamil. The remark led to strong backlash in Karnataka, where Kannada activists, fans, and political parties—particularly the BJP—organised protests and demanded an apology. Many argued that the statement undermined the independent history of the Kannada language. Responding later, Kamal Haasan said, “Love never apologises,” refusing to issue an apology. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted by stating that Kannada has a long and rich history and that Kamal Haasan lacked adequate understanding of it.
Vijay
Actor-turned-politician Vijay, who has launched an active election campaign across Tamil Nadu, has faced criticism over the accuracy of his speeches. Opposition voices and social media users claim that his speeches are scripted by his team, often relying on superficial research, including Wikipedia, without understanding the ground realities. Critics have also accused Vijay of delivering “cinema-style punch dialogues” instead of substantive political arguments. Further, following the tragic stampede at a TVK rally in Karur on 27 September, which claimed 41 lives and injured over 100 people, Vijay released a video statement on social media. The dramatic, film-style delivery of the message was widely criticised, with many accusing Vijay of politicising a tragedy instead of taking moral responsibility.
KA Sengottaiyan
On 5 September 2025, senior AIADMK leader and former minister KA Sengottaiyan caused political ripples by issuing a public warning to party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. Sengottaiyan said that if expelled leaders were not reunited with the party within ten days, he would take matters into his own hands. This was seen as a rare instance of a senior leader openly challenging party leadership after Jayalalithaa’s death. Though removed from party posts, he initially continued as an MLA and primary member. However, after appearing alongside expelled leaders TTV. Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam at a public event on 30 October, Sengottaiyan was completely expelled from AIADMK. He has since joined Vijay’s TVK, marking a significant political realignment.
A Revanth Reddy
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy sparked outrage in August 2025 when he said he felt like “slapping” young digital journalists, accusing them of arrogance and disrespect towards senior reporters. Speaking at a media event, he criticised social media journalists as “fake” who lack basic journalism knowledge, claiming they occupy front-row seats at press conferences and “throw their weight around.” He distinguished between mainstream and digital media, labelling the latter as a threat to credibility. The Congress leader’s violent rhetoric drew sharp criticism, particularly given his party’s previous support for digital journalism over “godi media.”
KT Rama Rao
BRS working president KT Rama Rao faced prosecution approval from Telangana’s Governor in November 2025 over the Formula E case involving alleged financial irregularities of ₹54.88 crore. The Anti-Corruption Bureau concluded KTR facilitated a quid pro quo arrangement, awarding contracts to Ace Nxt Gen in exchange for electoral bonds worth ₹45 crore during the Hyderabad Formula E racing event. The investigation found violations of statutory procedures and rushed fund releases from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority. Despite consistently denying wrongdoing and calling the case politically motivated, the governor’s sanction enabled the ACB to file charges and proceed with prosecution.
K Kavitha
MLC K Kavitha was suspended from the BRS in September 2025 after accusing her cousins, former minister T. Harish Rao and ex-MP J. Santosh Rao, of being “anacondas of corruption” who amassed wealth through the Kaleshwaram project whilst making her father KCR a scapegoat. Returning from a US visit, she alleged they collaborated with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to tarnish KCR’s image. The party suspended her for “anti-party activities” damaging the BRS. This wasn’t her first internal challenge—she’d previously sent a leaked confidential letter to KCR criticising party management after their silver jubilee celebrations in Warangal.
Konda Surekha
Congress minister Konda Surekha remained embroiled in multiple controversies throughout October 2025. Her office dismissed officer N Sumanth over bribery allegations involving stone crusher operators, triggering his family’s accusations against CM Revanth Reddy and requiring police intervention. She accused Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy of interfering in ₹71 crore Medaram Jatara contracts, sparking factional feuds and causing her to skip cabinet meetings. These disputes intensified caste tensions between the BC and Reddy groups within Congress. Additionally, she issued a midnight apology to actor Nagarjuna in November, retracting year-old remarks amid his ongoing criminal defamation case against her.
Ponnam Prabhakar
BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar ignited a political storm in October 2025 after allegedly calling SC Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar a “buffalo who knows nothing” during a viral video incident. The remark, made at a media conference about the Jubilee Hills by-election, was widely interpreted as a casteist insult targeting Adluri’s Scheduled Caste background. The Opposition BJP and BRS condemned it as “casteist arrogance.” Adluri, deeply hurt, stated the jibe targeted his Madiga sub-caste and threatened to complain to Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, unless Ponnam apologised, though Ponnam continued denying the remark.
Jupally Krishna Rao
Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao courted controversy in October 2025 after lodging a complaint with the Chief Secretary against senior IAS officer SAM Rizvi over delays in calling tenders for liquor bottle holograms. Krishna Rao accused Rizvi, who headed the committee for adopting advanced hologram technology, of failing to act. He revealed that between 2019 and 2023, no tenders were issued and work was awarded on a nomination basis, bypassing competitive bidding. Upon taking charge in 2023, he discovered years without proper tendering and immediately directed officials to initiate fair bidding, defending his actions as driven by transparency and accountability.
Gaddam Prasad Kumar
Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar faced criticism in December 2025 after rejecting disqualification petitions against five BRS MLAs who defected to Congress following the 2023 elections. The decision came after Supreme Court warnings of contempt proceedings if he didn’t decide. Kumar ruled that evidence failed to prove the MLAs—Tellam Venkat Rao, Arekapudi Gandhi, Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, TP Prakash Goud, and Gudem Mahipal Reddy—had “voluntarily given up” their party membership, the legal threshold under anti-defection law. KTR described the Congress-aligned Speaker’s decision as a “cruel joke,” alleging political bias in protecting defectors.
