The rhetoric in Telangana politics has intensified ahead of the upcoming Jubilee Hills assembly by-election. BJP senior leader and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar has launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, issuing a direct challenge.
Hyderabad: Political activity is steadily escalating in Telangana concerning the Jubilee Hills assembly by-election. Amidst this, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent statement, "Congress means Muslim and Muslim means Congress," has further heated up the political atmosphere. Following his statement, the BJP has launched a scathing attack, accusing him of Muslim appeasement.
BJP leader and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar launched a major attack on CM Revanth Reddy on Thursday, issuing an open challenge. He questioned, "Has Owaisi ever offered prayers at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple?" Sanjay Kumar stated that the Chief Minister should clarify whether he is pursuing politics aimed at appeasing only a specific community or representing the people of the entire state.
Background of the Controversy: CM Revanth Reddy's Statement
The controversy began when Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy recently stated at a public gathering, "Congress means Muslim and Muslim means Congress." Following this statement, the BJP registered b opposition, calling it politics of Muslim appeasement (minority appeasement). The BJP alleges that Revanth Reddy's statement was made with the intention of dividing the Hindu community and promoting religious polarization.
In this vein, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, speaking to the media on Thursday, said that the Chief Minister should provide a clarification to the public regarding this statement. "If Revanth Reddy has the courage, he should get Owaisi to perform Aarti at the temple," BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar stated,
'If Revanth Reddy has the courage, he should get Asaduddin Owaisi to perform Aarti at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple. If he manages to do that, we will consider him the Chief Minister for everyone, not just one community. He further added, "Hindus of Jubilee Hills should no longer remain a vote bank; instead, they should ensure BJP's victory through their unity."'
Sanjay Kumar also stated that if a candidate from Congress or BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi) wins, a situation might arise where Hindu festivals in the state could be banned. Targeting the Chief Minister, he further said that Revanth Reddy should demonstrate by having Congress leader and former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin apply a 'tilak' on his forehead.
Would Prefer My Head Cut Off Than Wear a Cap: Bandi Sanjay Kumar
In his statement, Bandi Sanjay Kumar made another controversial remark. He said, "If I ever have to wear a cap for votes, I would prefer to have my head cut off." The Union Minister alleged that Asaduddin Owaisi dreams of making India an Islamic nation by 2047, and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is conspiring with him to make Telangana an Islamic state.
He stated that the BJP would not allow such efforts to succeed at any cost, and the Hindu community should unite and respond to this. The by-election in Telangana's prestigious Jubilee Hills assembly constituency will be held on November 11, 2025. According to the Election Commission, the results will be declared on November 14, along with the results of the Bihar assembly elections.
This seat became vacant in June this year following the demise of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath due to a cardiac arrest. The Jubilee Hills area is considered one of Hyderabad's most prominent and sensitive constituencies, given its large populations of both Hindu and Muslim communities. Consequently, this by-election is regarded as politically significant not only for the state but also for national politics.
