BRS leader and former Minister S Niranjan Reddy raised serious concerns over a perceived alliance between the BJP and Congress in Telangana, accusing the BJP of offering unofficial support to the Congress government led by Revanth Reddy. He questioned the silence of BJP leaders, particularly Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, over key issues such as the undeclared curfew in Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, and the plight of Musi flood victims. Niranjan Reddy criticized Bandi Sanjay for acting more like an advisor to CM Revanth Reddy than a Union Minister, asking why Sanjay was so invested in Revanth’s political standing. He further challenged Sanjay to reveal the Congress leaders allegedly plotting to oust Revanth, while questioning the BJP’s indifference toward the struggles of the unemployed and protesters. Reddy accused the BJP of ignoring critical issues post-elections, suggesting a hidden agenda behind their silence on local crises.
In an intense political attack that raises new concerns about the shifting dynamics in Telangana politics, former Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader S Niranjan Reddy lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of unofficially backing the Congress-led government in the state. Reddy’s sharp criticism of the BJP comes amid growing speculation that the two national parties, which often lock horns on the national stage, are covertly collaborating in Telangana to gain political advantage.
Allegations of Congress-BJP “Joint Rule” in Telangana
Niranjan Reddy has gone on the offensive, suggesting that the BJP, despite its public opposition to the Congress at the national level, is working in tandem with the Congress in Telangana. Reddy’s remarks were focused on BJP’s apparent silence regarding the governance issues under Revanth Reddy’s Congress-led government. He alleged that the BJP is providing “unofficial, unconditional” support to the Congress and described the political landscape in Telangana as a “joint rule” by both parties.
This accusation has significant implications, especially given the volatile nature of Telangana politics. The BRS, led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), is gearing up to defend its position in the state, while both the Congress and BJP are vying for dominance. Niranjan Reddy’s claims of a covert Congress-BJP alliance are seen as an attempt to expose what he perceives as hypocrisy, and to challenge both parties ahead of future elections.
Questioning Bandi Sanjay’s Role and Motives
Central to Niranjan Reddy’s argument was his sharp critique of BJP MP and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay. In recent weeks, Bandi Sanjay made headlines for his controversial comments regarding Congress ministers attempting to unseat Telangana’s Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Sanjay’s remarks raised eyebrows, with many wondering why a senior BJP leader would appear so invested in the internal matters of a Congress-led government.
Reddy seized on this point, asking rhetorically, “Is Bandi Sanjay a Union Minister or an advisor to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy?” He went on to criticize Sanjay for his preoccupation with the Congress’s internal politics, stating, “Why is he so concerned about Revanth’s position? Whether the Congress government stays or goes, whether Revanth is in the CM’s seat or not, how does it matter to Bandi Sanjay?” This questioning of Sanjay’s motives reflects a broader concern about the BJP’s strategic interests in Telangana, especially in light of recent developments.
Reddy pressed further, challenging Sanjay to name the Congress leaders supposedly working to overthrow Revanth Reddy’s government. If Bandi Sanjay knows of Congress leaders plotting against the Chief Minister, Reddy argued, then he has a responsibility to reveal their identities. This line of questioning not only places Sanjay on the defensive but also casts doubt on the integrity of BJP’s engagement with Telangana politics.
Criticism of BJP’s Silence on Local Issues
Beyond the issue of Bandi Sanjay’s focus on Revanth Reddy, Niranjan Reddy raised a number of other pressing concerns. He pointed out that before the elections, Bandi Sanjay had been a vocal critic of the Congress and had frequently raised issues affecting the unemployed and underprivileged in Telangana. However, since assuming his role as Union Minister, Sanjay has been notably silent on these issues, leading to accusations of opportunism.
One of the key areas where BJP’s silence has been most conspicuous, according to Niranjan Reddy, is in the response to the undeclared curfew-like situation in Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad. The area, which has seen heightened tensions and increased security measures in recent weeks, has not drawn significant attention from BJP leaders, raising concerns among locals about the party’s priorities.
Reddy also criticized the BJP for its indifference to the plight of those affected by the Musi River floods. The Musi, which flows through Hyderabad, has been prone to seasonal flooding, displacing thousands of families and causing widespread destruction. While several political leaders have visited the area and called for immediate relief measures, Reddy noted that BJP leaders, particularly Bandi Sanjay, have remained largely silent on the issue.
“Why are BJP leaders indifferent to the plight of the Musi people?” Reddy asked. “When peaceful protesters are being lathi-charged, doesn’t Bandi Sanjay, who is serving as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, see it?” His comments reflect growing frustration among opposition leaders and activists over what they see as selective activism on the part of the BJP. According to Reddy, the BJP’s engagement with Telangana has become increasingly calculated and transactional, focusing only on issues that promise political dividends.
Accusations of Political Opportunism
Reddy went on to accuse Bandi Sanjay and the BJP of blatant political opportunism, questioning the timing of their interventions in local issues. Referring specifically to Sanjay’s comments that he would visit Ashok Nagar “if necessary,” Reddy wondered aloud whether the BJP leader’s concern for the area was genuine, or merely a reflection of electoral calculations. “Is it because there is no need for votes now? Will he come only when votes are needed?” he asked, implying that Sanjay’s interest in local issues wanes between elections.
This accusation of selective concern is not limited to the issue of Ashok Nagar. Reddy suggested that BJP leaders, including Bandi Sanjay, had been far more vocal about the struggles of the unemployed before elections but have since gone silent. The former Minister expressed skepticism about whether the BJP was truly committed to addressing the grievances of Telangana’s marginalized communities, or whether their advocacy was merely a pre-election strategy to gain support.
Broader Implications for Telangana Politics
Niranjan Reddy’s critique of the BJP’s role in Telangana politics is part of a broader strategy by the BRS to solidify its base in the state while undermining the credibility of its opponents. By suggesting that the BJP and Congress are working together behind the scenes, Reddy seeks to frame the BRS as the only party genuinely committed to the welfare of Telangana’s people.
The accusation of an undeclared Congress-BJP alliance could resonate with voters who are skeptical of both national parties and their motives in the state. Moreover, by highlighting the BJP’s silence on critical issues such as the Ashok Nagar situation and the Musi flood victims, Reddy seeks to portray the BJP as disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary citizens in Telangana.
At the same time, his attack on Bandi Sanjay personally is likely intended to weaken the BJP leader’s standing in the state. By casting doubt on Sanjay’s motives and suggesting that he is more concerned with political maneuvering than with governance, Reddy hopes to undermine the BJP’s appeal ahead of upcoming elections.
Niranjan Reddy’s pointed critique of the BJP’s unofficial support for the Congress government in Telangana and his questioning of Bandi Sanjay’s priorities highlights the growing tensions in the state’s political landscape. As Telangana gears up for crucial elections, these accusations of backdoor alliances and selective activism are likely to shape the narrative in the coming months. The BRS, led by KCR, will continue to emphasize its role as the primary defender of Telangana’s interests, while attempting to expose what it sees as the hypocrisy of its rivals. In this context, the accusations leveled by Niranjan Reddy are likely to play a key role in shaping voter perceptions of the BJP and Congress in Telangana.