As Telangana gears up for municipal elections, a fierce war of words has erupted among political leaders, particularly between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). BJP MP Etala Rajender has raised pointed questions about the viability of electing BRS councilors, questioning what benefits they would bring to the state, given that the party holds no power at the central or state level.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Gajwel for the upcoming municipal elections, Rajender criticized the BRS leadership, asserting that the party has failed to deliver any new pension schemes since the Congress government took charge. He emphasized that the development of villages and municipalities hinges entirely on funding from the central government, highlighting the importance of electing BJP candidates for progress in the region.
Rajender lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Modi provided meals for 800 million people when job opportunities were scarce. He also praised the vaccine rollout, which he claimed saved numerous lives. According to Rajender, electing BJP candidates would ensure continued development in Telangana, underscoring the central government’s role in local progress.
The BJP leader pointed out the discrepancies in the promises made by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), particularly regarding housing. He claimed that although the Telangana government sanctioned 250,000 houses, only around 170,000 have been constructed, suggesting a significant gap between promises and reality. “The KCR government has now lost its credibility, and soon, the Congress will face a similar fate,” he stated.
Rajender expressed gratitude to the people of Gajwel, noting that during his nomination, he expected around 5,000 attendees but was pleasantly surprised to see 25,000 supporters show up. He asserted that the true victory in the elections would be for the people of Gajwel, despite KCR serving as the local MLA. “Development has not materialized in Gajwel under KCR’s leadership,” he added, reiterating his doubts about the effectiveness of electing BRS councilors.
In a critical tone, Rajender questioned the logic behind voting for candidates who admit they will not provide benefits such as the Rythu Bandhu scheme, which supports farmers. He challenged voters to consider how progress could occur if they continued to support leaders with such attitudes. The BJP’s campaign strategy appears focused on highlighting the shortcomings of both the BRS and Congress while positioning themselves as the party of development and accountability in Telangana.
As the election race intensifies, the outcome remains uncertain, but the rhetoric between parties is likely to escalate. Voters in Telangana face a critical decision that could shape the future of their municipalities and the broader development of the state.
