BJP dares CM Revanth Reddy to officially celebrate Telangana Liberation Day on September 17

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Tuesday challenged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to officially commemorate September 17 as Telangana Liberation Day, if he truly respects the sacrifices made by the people in their fight against the atrocities of the Nizam’s rule.

Addressing a meeting at Gundrampally in Nalgonda district after paying tributes to the 26 martyrs who were brutally killed by the ‘Razakars’, the Nizam’s militia, when the village rose in revolt against autocratic rule, the former MLC questioned whether Mr. Revanth Reddy would take a different stand or follow in the footsteps of former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who had initially promised to celebrate the day officially but later backed out, allegedly fearing a loss of Muslim votes.

Reiterating the BJP’s commitment, Mr. Rao said the party would officially observe Liberation Day once it comes to power in Telangana. He accused both the Congress and BRS of being ideological ‘twins’ of the Majlis Party, founded by ‘Razakar’ leader Kasim Razvi, and claimed they were afraid to acknowledge the day officially.

In contrast, neighbouring States like Karnataka and Maharashtra have been commemorating the day officially for years. Mr. Rao accused both parties of indulging in vote-bank politics and deceiving the people of Telangana. He also criticized the Congress government’s move to provide 10% reservations to Muslims in local body elections, stating that the BJP would oppose it. He urged voters to support the BJP in the upcoming local body elections to prevent injustice to Backward Classes (BCs).

Commenting on the internal strife within the BRS, Mr. Rao dismissed it as a tussle over ‘sharing’ and pointed out that two senior leaders have been linked to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project corruption case by a founding family member — without naming her.

BJP Telangana Liberation Committee chairman and MLC Anji Reddy, former MP Dr. Burra Narsaiah Goud, vice president G. Manohar Reddy, and other leaders were present. Mr. Rao later honoured the families of the martyrs. He was given a grand welcome by party leaders at Lingojiguda in Choutuppal Municipality and at the Pantangi toll gate on the Vijayawada Highway.

Family Melodrama

In a separate development, BJP spokesperson N.V. Subash described the suspension of MLC K. Kavitha — daughter of BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao and an accused in the Delhi Excise Policy scam — as part of a ‘carefully-scripted family melodrama’.

“The suspension drama unfolded just as the Congress government handed over the Kaleshwaram irregularities probe to the CBI. Clearly, BRS is trying to put on a show of ‘discipline’ to fool the public. Whether this act is genuine or just another performance will be revealed soon,” he added.