A friend in need
Actor Samantha Akkineni has appealed to the voters of Repalle Assembly Constituency in Guntur district to elect Telugu Desam Party candidate and incumbent MLA Anagani Satya Prasad with a huge majority by voting for development. In a video that is now viral on social media, Ms. Samantha can be seen making the appeal. “Mana Repalle mana Anagani. Vote for development. Make Anagani Satya Prasad with huge majority by casting vote against cycle symbol,” she said. Meanwhile, the video that originated from multiple sources (not Samantha’s official accounts) also drew flak from users on social media. It also confused many as for how Ms. Samantha is connected to Mr. Anagani. Responding to one such tweet Ms. Samantha said, “Yes, a family friend. My support is personally towards him. I know him and his sister Dr. Manjula Anagani since the time I moved to Hyderabad. Hence I support because he is a good person (sic).” Dr. Manjula is the co-founder of Prathyusa Foundation founded by Ms. Samantha.