Revanth Reddy joins Ganesh immersion, people see both religious and political message

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made a surprise appearance at the Ganesh immersion on Tank Bund, marking the first time a sitting Chief Minister joining devotees during the grand immersion.

Mr. Reddy arrived in a modest convoy, with no traffic clearance, and accompanied only by a handful of personal staff, mingling with devotees, greeting them like an ordinary participant.

Stepping onto the Bhagya Nagar Utsav Samiti (BGUS) stage and chanting “Ganapati Bappa Morya” with the crowd, the Chief Minister connected with devotees. People who gathered to witness the Grand immersion process competed to take selfies with the CM as he walked.

BGUS general secretary Ravinuthala Shashidhar said it was the first time that a Chief Minister had participated in the procession and shared the dias of the BGUS.

Political Angle

Mr. Reddy’s visit, which was purely as a devotee and also from the administration point to inspect the arrangements, is also being seen from a political angle. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has long sought to dominate the Ganesh immersion space in Hyderabad turning the Ganesh processions into political stages.

The BJP showcased its cultural nationalism by bringing in heavyweight leaders from North India. Senior BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, have graced the Hyderabad processions in the past, reinforcing the BJP’s claim over Hindu cultural platforms.

The timing of the Chief Minister’s visit is also significant. Union Home Amit Shah was scheduled to attend this year’s celebrations, but cancelled his visit due to the Vice President election preparations. Mr. Reddy stepped into that gap, shifting the spotlight on him and the Congress government for the fact that millions of people keenly watch the Ganesh procession not only in Telangana but across the world.

In contrast, both Congress and BRS had, until now, largely remained on the margins of the grand immersion. Their leaders are seen at Ganesh pandals during the ten-day festivities but rarely at the Tank Bund procession itself. Even former CM K. Chandrashekar Rao, who ruled for a decade and never hid his religious beliefs, did not personally participate in the immersion.

With Congress keen to strengthen its presence in Telangana and consolidate Hindu voters without ceding ground to the BJP, Congress leaders believe that his move sends a message that the party too can visibly participate in cultural and religious spaces while retaining its secular credentials.