The Congress government in Telangana has given a significant push for the development of temples and is celebrating festivals by spending hundreds of crores of rupees. Political analysts term this a strategic move by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to preempt the Bharatiya Janata Party from gaining politically on religious grounds in the state.
BJP's Focus on Telangana
After its electoral success in Assam, West Bengal, and Puducherry, primarily on a religious plank, the BJP central leadership is set to shift its focus to Telangana. Political observers and leaders note that the sanction of nearly ₹3,000 crore for temple development and festival celebrations by the Revanth-led government will help counter the saffron party's plans for the state.
Political analyst S Ramakrishna told Times of India that CM Revanth is leaving no stone unturned to prevent the BJP from creating a communal atmosphere in Telangana. He said, "On one side, the Revanth government is focusing on temple development and temple tourism; on the other, the BJP will now go all out to claim its place in Telangana. The BJP's performance was dismal in municipal and panchayat elections after winning 8 Lok Sabha seats. PM Modi's visit will be used to propel their electoral prospects in GHMC elections."
Congress Leaders Defend Secular Approach
Congress leaders played it safe, stating that the party is secular and the Revanth government is not only developing temples but also bearing the additional burden of Haj pilgrimage due to the war in West Asia. Telangana Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud said, "Yes, the government is developing temples as it is secular governance led by CM Revanth. The government has also announced plans to construct a grand mosque, a church, and a gurdwara as part of the Musi project. Funds are released for the smooth and successful conduct of Ramzan, Bonalu, Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, and other festivals."
BJP's Counter Claims
The BJP, however, is not in agreement with these claims. Ahead of PM Modi's visit on Sunday, BJP state president N Ramchander Rao termed the Congress government anti-Hindu. He listed several incidents: "In October 2024, the Muthyalamma temple's idol in Secunderabad was desecrated; part of a temple structure in Jubilee Hills was demolished in July 2025; the Katta Maisamma temple and an associated statue and idol in Safilguda were desecrated in January 2026; a Lord Hanuman statue was found broken in Rampalli in Keesara in October 2025; an idol in Maisamma temple at Puranapul was vandalised in January 2026; and a Hanuman temple was desecrated in Chandrayangutta in February 2026."
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About the Author: Roushan Ali, having 30 years of experience, covers the government, chief minister's office, and politics as a senior assistant editor of The Times of India. During his three-decade journalism career, he has covered important citizen-centric and infrastructure beats like urban development, water and electricity supply, traffic and transport, cantonment, education, welfare, and rural development.
