Not apologetic about our party’s Hindutva identity, will build Hindu vote bank against appeasement politics: BJP MP Bandi Sanjay

Karimnagar MP and Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was unapologetic about its Hindutva image and would continue to build the Hindu vote bank against the appeasement politics of the Congress.

A political war of words has erupted in Telangana after Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief B. Mahesh Kumar Goud alleged during his Janahita yatra in Karimnagar that the BJP indulged in “vote theft” and “Hindutva ideology” to win the elections. He claimed that BJP’s victories in the State were not legitimate and he had the evidence of “vote theft.”

In response, the Union Minister said the BJP would work towards building a Hindutva vote bank. “We believe in Sanatana Dharma. If Hindus vote for us, what is your problem? We are proud of this and there is nothing to be ashamed of,” Mr. Kumar asserted while speaking to reporters in Karimnagar on Tuesday (August 26, 2025).

He asked if Muslims pray to their God as per their beliefs, why do the Congress leaders have to wear the skull caps? Is it not for votes, he asked and said Congress has a problem if Hindu leaders pray to Hindu Gods.

Mr. Kumar also ridiculed Mr. Goud’s comments on “vote theft” and his claims about evidence of BJP winning eight seats in the [2024] Lok Sabha polls in Telangana due to “vote theft.” He mocked the TPCC president saying, “A leader who has not even won as a ward member was making baseless remarks only for cheap publicity. I am in public life for 30 years.”

The Minister said if the TPCC president has the evidence, he should approach the Election Commission and seek re-election. “Does the Congress party have the guts to do that?” he asked. Congress party, instead of making hollow allegations, should be ready to resign and face fresh elections if it truly believed in its charge of “vote theft”.

Mr. Kumar also alleged that Mr. Goud insulted the people of Karimnagar with his “Vote Theft” comments. He demanded that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy respond to the allegations raised by his party colleague.

Turning his attack on the ruling parties, Mr. Kumar accused the previous BRS government of promoting Rohingyas and said the present Congress government was continuing the same policy.