Who Are Konda Surekha and Konda Murali? Unveiling Their Violent Past Amid Samantha Controversy

Telangana Minister Konda Surekha has made headlines following her controversial remarks about actress Samantha Akkineni and the Akkineni family. However, her prominence goes beyond this incident. Surekha and her husband, Konda Murali, have a long, violent history rooted in Telangana's political landscape. Known for their notoriety, particularly in Warangal, the Konda family has been involved in numerous bloody feuds, with Murali being a former Naxalite and a feared political figure. Here’s a look at the tumultuous history of this couple and how they came to power through violence and political manipulation.

 Konda Surekha’s Rise and Murali’s Dark Past

Konda Surekha may be in the news for her controversial statements about actress Samantha, but her rise to power is tied to her husband, Konda Murali, a notorious figure in Telangana's political scene. Konda Murali, originally named Muralidhar Rao Patel, comes from a wealthy family in Warangal. During his college days, he was drawn into Naxalism and Maoism, becoming involved in radical student unions and violent political activities. He changed his name to Konda Murali and built a fearsome reputation in the region, smuggling guns and leading violent gang wars in the mid-1980s.

Murali's criminal activities include the introduction of modern weapons into Warangal, where he waged war against rival groups. From 1985 to 1990, Murali's rise in the criminal underworld was marked by the smuggling of guns and the elimination of rivals. His first real show of power came during the 1987 Panchayat elections when he intimidated the entire village of Vanchanagiri by publicly shooting a dog and threatening to kill anyone who dared to run against him. This brazen act ensured his unopposed victory, solidifying his position in local politics.

Despite his rise to power, Konda Murali made many enemies along the way, particularly due to his violent methods. Murali and his wife Surekha survived several assassination attempts over the years. In one infamous incident, four gunmen ambushed Murali on the street. Though severely injured, he managed to kill one of the attackers on the spot. Murali still carries three bullets in his body from that attack, which doctors were unable to remove. Surekha played a crucial role in saving her husband's life by rushing him to the hospital, but the couple responded to the attack with a bloody revenge campaign in Warangal.

Rivalry with Errabelli Dayakar Rao

Murali’s violent history is closely linked to his bitter rivalry with Errabelli Dayakar Rao, a political heavyweight from Warangal. The two were once close allies, but their relationship soured, leading to an ongoing feud. Both men have tried to eliminate each other over the years, and their violent history has become the stuff of legend in Telangana politics. Ram Gopal Varma even made a film titled Konda, loosely based on the lives of Konda Murali and Surekha. In an interview following the film’s release, Murali remarked that the movie only scratched the surface of his "stories of vengeance."

Despite his violent past, Murali has maintained his political influence, largely thanks to his wife, Konda Surekha. She has held multiple political positions, including MLA and MLC, while Murali remained a shadowy figure in the background. Initially aligned with Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), Surekha gained her first political success due to Murali’s backing. When YSR’s son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, formed the YSR Congress Party, the Konda couple supported his leadership, providing security for Jagan’s early political campaigns. However, over time, they were sidelined and eventually joined the Congress Party as YSR Congress failed to gain traction in Telangana.