Congress MP slams Pawan Kalyan, Lokesh silence on Visakhapatnam marine engineer's US attack killing
Synopsis
Three Indian sailors, including Visakhapatnam's Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh, were killed when the US military struck oil tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz. Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna has now turned the tragedy into a political flashpoint, publicly demanding to know why Andhra Pradesh's top NDA leaders — Pawan Kalyan and Nara Lokesh — have not said a word about one of their own state's sons.
Key Takeaways
Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna publicly challenged Pawan Kalyan and Nara Lokesh over their silence on the death of Patnala Suresh on 12 June .
Patnala Suresh , Chief Engineer from Visakhapatnam , was one of three Indian sailors killed in the US military strike on MT Settebello .
The other two victims were deck cadet Aditya Sharma and engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya .
The Palau-flagged tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman , allegedly for attempting to breach a US-imposed blockade.
Suresh is survived by his wife and two sons aged 13 and 10 ; his family is in deep shock.
Chandrababu Naidu , Pawan Kalyan , and other Andhra Pradesh ministers had not publicly responded as of the time of reporting.
Congress Telangana MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna on 12 June publicly challenged Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party President Pawan Kalyan and state minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national Working President Nara Lokesh over their silence on the killing of Visakhapatnam-based marine engineer Patnala Suresh in a US military strike on a vessel off the coast of Oman. Suresh was among three Indian seafarers killed when the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello came under attack near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The Charge Against NDA Leaders
Krishna, the MP from Peddapalli, posted a pointed message on X directed at the ruling NDA coalition partners in Andhra Pradesh. 'Lokesh garu, Pawan Kalyan garu… are you supporting the central government just to protect your positions? That may be your personal choice. But to completely forget moral values — is that justifiable?' he wrote.
The Congress leader argued that Indian sailors who lost their lives in service deserved acknowledgement, and that the continued silence from the state's top leadership amounted to a failure of moral responsibility. He further drew a pointed contrast, alleging that some leaders were 'in Delhi discussing PM Modi's fitness and skincare secrets' while bereaved families mourned.
Who Was Killed
Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh of Visakhapatnam was one of three Indians confirmed dead in the attack, which occurred on Wednesday. The other two victims were deck cadet Aditya Sharma and engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya. All three had initially been reported missing before their deaths were confirmed.
Suresh is survived by his wife and two sons, aged 13 and 10. His family is reportedly in deep shock following the tragedy.
The Attack on MT Settebello
The MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, was struck by the US military off the coast of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports. The vessel was allegedly targeted after it reportedly attempted to violate a blockade imposed by the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes.
Andhra Pradesh Government's Response
As of the time of reporting, neither Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, nor any other minister from Andhra Pradesh had publicly reacted to the killing of the state's marine engineer. Krishna also invoked the recent Operation Sindoor episode, noting that while NDA partners praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership then, the same voices have remained absent following this incident.
The political pressure on the Andhra Pradesh government is likely to intensify as the families of the victims await official acknowledgement and support from the state.
Point of View
But staying silent on a constituent's death in a foreign military incident is a reputational liability at home. The invocation of Operation Sindoor is deliberate — it frames the NDA's selective outrage, loud when the Centre scores points, quiet when it does not. Whether this gains traction depends on whether the state government responds before the news cycle moves on.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Patnala Suresh and how was he killed?
Patnala Suresh was a Chief Engineer and marine professional from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. He was killed when the US military struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman, reportedly after the vessel allegedly attempted to breach a US-imposed blockade.
Who are the other Indian sailors killed in the MT Settebello attack?
The three Indians killed are Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh from Visakhapatnam, deck cadet Aditya Sharma, and engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya. All three were initially reported missing before their deaths were confirmed.
Why is Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna criticising Pawan Kalyan and Nara Lokesh?
Krishna has called out their public silence following the death of Patnala Suresh, a resident of their own state. He argues that the NDA leaders are prioritising their alliance with the Centre over speaking out for an Andhra Pradesh citizen killed in a foreign military incident.
Has the Andhra Pradesh government responded to the killing?
As of the time of reporting, neither Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, nor any other Andhra Pradesh minister had publicly commented on the death of Patnala Suresh or the broader incident.
Where did the MT Settebello attack take place?
The MT Settebello was attacked off the coast of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints for global oil trade. The US military carried out the strike after the vessel allegedly attempted to violate a US-imposed blockade.
