Owaisi used as political scarecrow: Revanth Reddy slams BJP’s ‘divisive politics’

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that the party is repeatedly invoking AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi for political gains instead of addressing governance issues and is using his name to mobilize votes. He said party leaders “chant his name endlessly” and repeatedly portray him as a political scarecrow to influence public opinion during elections.

Addressing the media ahead of the municipal elections, Reddy said the BJP is projecting Owaisi as a political ‘lifeline’ and regularly raising his name while claiming to champion religious causes. He wondered why no action was taken against Owaisi if the BJP really considered him a threat despite being in power at the Center and in several states.

Reddy also accused the BJP of practicing divisive politics by invoking Owaisi to polarize voters.

The Prime Minister argued that local elections should be fought on social issues rather than national or communal narratives, and questioned whether central leaders would tackle everyday municipal problems such as drainage and urban infrastructure. He urged voters in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations to make decisions based on governance, development and their future.

Reddy also alleged that the BJP is relying on invoking personalities and religion instead of fulfilling promises to Telangana, and said attempts to stoke communal divisions reflect an ‘ideological bankruptcy’.

‘BJP commits injustice against southern states’

He said whenever a Union minister visits the state, they claim to have sanctioned lakhs or crores, but in reality the Center refunds only a portion of the taxes paid by Telangana. He said for every rupee Telangana donates to the Centre, the Center gets back only 42 paise.

He said that Karnataka will receive 16 paise, Tamil Nadu 26 paise and Kerala only 49 paise. He alleged that the BJP is committing injustice against the southern states and figures clearly show that Telangana is being denied its rightful share.

On the BRS, Revanth Reddy said the party was in power in Telangana for the last decade but now its leaders are asking for votes claiming that they will solve the problems. He said from sarpanch to council that the BRS was exercising complete control, and asked whether KCR, KTR and Harish Rao were not responsible for the current problems.

He wondered with what face they were asking for votes again and accused them of speaking with arrogance and hatred, like people drunk on ganja or cocaine. He warned of the consequences of voting for leaders who are used to looting.

The comments come amid a three-way battle between the Congress, the BJP and the BRS in the upcoming municipal polls, where campaign rhetoric around identity politics, development and mid-state relations has intensified.

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