The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is launching a massive public outreach program in Telangana, announcing 50 ‘Maha Padayatras’ (long marches). Union Minister for Coal & Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, stated on Sunday that these marches aim to expose the alleged failures of the BRS and the perceived deceit of the Congress government, while also highlighting the significant contributions of the Modi government to the state.
During a press conference, Reddy openly challenged both the Congress and BRS, demanding they account for their work in areas like Jubilee Hills. He urged their leaders to “walk two kilometers on the pothole-ridden roads and ask people for votes,” criticizing former Chief Minister KCR for his unfulfilled promise to transform Hyderabad into a city like Istanbul or Singapore, noting KCR now largely remains confined to his farmhouse. Reddy also dismissed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s attempts to shift blame, calling them unacceptable.
The BJP leader vehemently criticized the Congress party’s tactics during the recent by-election campaign, accusing them of resorting to “deceit and intimidation” and exceeding acceptable boundaries. He specifically alleged that the Chief Minister misled voters with “false promises and manipulative strategies.”
Reddy further emphasized, “False promises have become a habit for both parties. Hyderabad is more than just its Hi-Tec City; it encompasses many neglected slums where street lights fail, drainage overflows onto roads, and potholes make walking hazardous. These issues must be addressed before they can ask for votes.”
Drawing a parallel, he declared that “the Congress and BRS are two sides of the same coin.” He reminded the public that KCR and Harish Rao had previously served as ministers under Congress rule and asserted that the BJP has never, and will never, align with either party, dismissing their political rivalry as a mere “staged act.”
Reddy also raised concerns about “selective appeasement,” alleging that land and ministerial positions are preferentially offered to one community while others are overlooked. He further accused the State government of spreading misinformation regarding the Metro project, noting that there has been no official takeover from L&T nor completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Campaigning Intensifies
Meanwhile, BJP State President N. Ramchander Rao echoed these sentiments, stating that while the previous BRS government was rejected for corruption, the current Congress government is equally implicated, relying on “contractors and commissions” and engaging in “corruption, intimidation, and communal politics.” He claimed that residents in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency are expressing anger over alleged attempts to influence them with money. Rao encouraged youth, women, and educated citizens to join the BJP, envisioning a “glorious future for Telangana” through collective effort. He later led a vigorous padayatra in Jubilee Hills.