The remarks were made in Parliament during a discussion on the proposed delimitation exercise. Criticising the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Surya alleged that the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was carried out in a “hasty and flawed” manner, likening it to the chaotic division of British India in 1947.The statement sparked immediate backlash on social media, particularly from people in Telugu-speaking states. Many users termed the comparison insensitive and disrespectful to the sentiments surrounding the formation of Telangana, which followed years of agitation and political struggleSeveral commentators also questioned the silence of elected representatives from Telangana, urging them to respond strongly to defend the state’s pride and identity. Others highlighted political inconsistencies, pointing out that multiple parties had supported the bifurcation at the time.Surya also faced criticism from users in Karnataka, with some accusing him of focusing on national controversies rather than local development issues in his constituency.The controversy has reignited debates over the legacy of the bifurcation and the broader issue of responsible political discourse in Parliament.
