Rename Hyderabad first...": Bandi responds to Revanth's threat over alleged disrespect to Gaddar
Kumar's post follows Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's announcement to rename the lane in Hyderabad, where the Telangana BJP office is located, as Gaddar Galli.
Rename Hyderabad first...": Bandi responds to Revanth's threat over alleged disrespect to Gaddar
Hyderabad: On Friday, January 31, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar challenged Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to rename Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar. The Karimnagar MP’s comment came in response to Revanth’s threat to rename the street housing the Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Nampally as Gaddar Galli.
Addressing the chief minister, Bandi said, “If you have the guts, first change Hyderabad’s name to Bhagyanagar.” He accused the Congress of insulting revolutionary poet and activist Gaddar during his lifetime, using him as an interlocutor for dialogues with Naxals, and now trying to score political points. “Couldn’t help but laugh at the Congress CM who thinks renaming a street is revenge for not giving a Padma award. Is this child’s play?” the former Telangana BJP president remarked in a post on X.
Kumar further questioned why the chief minister was prioritizing Gaddar over politicians, police officers, and their families who were victims of Naxalism in Telangana. He urged Revanth to focus on fulfilling promises made to the public during the Assembly elections rather than renaming streets to satisfy personal egos.
The Union minister also alleged that the Congress was using the poll code for MLC elections as an excuse to withhold payments to farmers under the Rythu Bharosa scheme. He argued that since the scheme had already been implemented, the Election Commission should not object to its continuation. Telangana BJP president G. Kishan Reddy reportedly sent a letter to the Election Commission requesting the immediate release of funds under Rythu Bharosa and other welfare schemes.
Revanth's Response: "Disrespect Gaddar, Face Consequences"
The heated exchange followed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s statement on Thursday, January 30, during a cultural event marking the 77th birth anniversary of Gaddar (Gummadi Vitthal Rao) at Ravindra Bharathi. Reddy warned Bandi against disrespecting the legendary balladeer, saying, “If you ever try to disrespect Gaddar again, I will name the street on which the BJP state headquarters is located in Nampally after him.”
Revanth stated that renaming the street to “Gaddar Anna Galli” would serve as a constant reminder of the revolutionary singer’s legacy every time BJP leaders wrote their office address. He criticized the BJP for defending the Centre’s denial of a Padma award to Gaddar despite the state recommending his name.
Bandi Defends Padma Award Denial
In response, Bandi Sanjay defended the Centre’s decision, accusing Gaddar of orchestrating murders of BJP activists and police officers. “Why should Gaddar be given a Padma Award? He collaborated with those who murdered BJP workers and encountered many policemen. Gaddar was a close ally of Naxals—why would he be considered for such an honor?” Sanjay questioned.
He further criticized the Telangana government for not being cautious while submitting nominations for the awards, stating that all aspects of a candidate’s background are taken into account during the selection process. “The (Telangana) government should have been more careful while sending names to the Centre,” he added.
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