Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao declared on Saturday that his party stands fully prepared for the upcoming municipal elections, which are likely to be scheduled for February. He made this announcement while addressing a preparatory gathering called the 'Vijay Sankalpa Sammelan'. Rao highlighted the party's recent performance in panchayat elections as a clear sign of its growing influence across the state.
Significant Gains in Rural Areas
Rao provided detailed figures to support his claims. He stated that BJP-backed candidates secured approximately 1,000 sarpanch posts, 1,500 upa-sarpanch positions, and 10,000 ward member seats in the recent panchayat polls. This marks a substantial increase from the past. Rao pointed out that the party previously had only about 150 sarpanches. The jump to 1,000 now demonstrates a significant surge in support for the BJP in rural Telangana.
Criticism of Opposition Parties
The BJP leader did not hold back in his criticism of rival parties. He noted that the BRS managed to win only 2,000 seats despite contesting in 10,000 places. Rao alleged that the ruling Congress party has been falsely claiming credit for all election winners. He further asserted that the BRS has virtually disappeared from public view and is heading towards a split.
Rao also took aim at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. He accused the chief minister of being too preoccupied with frequent visits to Delhi and numerous public meetings. According to Rao, this focus has led to a neglect of governance in Telangana. He claimed that the state government is not paying adequate attention to welfare schemes meant for farmers and the general public.
Central Government's Role in Development
Rao highlighted several key projects and development initiatives in Telangana that have received funding from the Central government. He specifically mentioned the Kazipet Coach Factory, the Ramagundam Fertiliser Plant, AIIMS Bibinagar, and the Sammakka-Sarakka Tribal University. Additionally, he pointed to improvements in rural roads and the modernisation of railway stations as examples of central support.
Allegations of Scheme Hijacking
The BJP president made serious allegations against the Congress government. He accused them of hijacking central schemes to claim false credit. Rao cited the free 5-kg rice programme as a prime example. He alleged that the state government removed photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from ration shops. This move, according to Rao, was an attempt to mislead people into believing that the scheme originated from the state government rather than the Centre.
Rao's statements underscore the BJP's confidence as municipal elections approach. They also highlight the ongoing political tensions between the BJP and the Congress in Telangana. The party appears to be leveraging its rural gains and central government projects to build a strong campaign narrative.
