BJP slams Opposition’s ‘personal attacks’, eyes Khairatabad bypoll

BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao criticised Opposition parties for “negative and divisive” politics, alleging that they were failing to play a constructive role at a time when the country was progressing towards becoming a developed nation.

Addressing the media after visiting the Balapur Ganesh pandal on Sunday, Mr. Ramchander Rao accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders of resorting to personal attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of engaging in policy-based criticism.

The Congress lacked the confidence to challenge the BJP on governance and development issues and had therefore chosen to focus on personal criticism, he said.

BJP confident

Meanwhile, Medak MP M. Raghunandan Rao asserted that the BJP would win the Khairatabad bypoll following the disqualification of its sitting legislator Danam Nagender by the High Court for switching parties.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP State office, he claimed that the party was well-positioned to emerge victorious if a bypoll was held. While acknowledging that every election presents unique challenges, he claimed that Mr. Nagender had never won a byelection.

The MP also launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, accusing them of praising the erstwhile Nizam for political gains. “With civic polls in mind, the Congress and the BRS have been highlighting the Nizam’s legacy despite the documented instances of oppression, discrimination and exploitation during his rule,” he alleged.

Mr. Rao questioned whether the Chief Minister believed that ‘Operation Polo’, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to integrate the Hyderabad State into the Indian Union, was unjustified. He also asked what message such remarks would send to the families of those who participated in the Telangana liberation struggle.