The political landscape in Telangana is heating up as Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajender has thrown down the gauntlet to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, challenging him to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a recent tour of the Musi catchment area alongside BJP leaders, Rajender made headlines with his remarks, declaring that if locals hailed Reddy as “Sebhash,” he would resign from politics. He further urged Reddy to confront him without security, underscoring the tension that has been brewing in the region.
The backdrop to this political showdown is the controversial Operation Musi, which has seen the demolition of houses and the evacuation of residents along the riverbed. As protests against these actions mount, the political rhetoric has become increasingly charged. Rajender questioned the central government’s spending, claiming that the ₹20,000 crores allocated for the Namami Ganga project over 2,500 km raises doubts about the effectiveness of the ₹1.5 crore set aside for cleaning the Musi river.
In response, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy aimed sharp criticism at the opposition, challenging BJP MPs to justify their inaction and defend their votes. He contended that poor residents shouldn’t be marginalized and that their welfare remains a priority. Reddy’s remarks suggest that he believes the BJP’s silence on pressing local issues is a failure of leadership.
In this escalating political drama, Rajender’s challenge to meet PM Modi signals a readiness to confront the ruling party’s narratives head-on. He indicated that if the people of Malkajgiri indeed support Reddy, he would willingly step back from politics, thus placing the spotlight firmly on public opinion.
The situation is further complicated by controversies surrounding the family digital cards program in Malkajgiri. Rajender expressed his dissatisfaction over not being invited to discussions, indicating potential protocol errors. Minister Shridhar Babu has stated that an investigation will be launched to address the issue.
As the political climate in Telangana intensifies, the question remains: how will these challenges impact local governance and community relations? Both Rajender and Reddy seem determined to assert their influence, but the true measure of their leadership will be determined by their ability to address the pressing concerns of the residents.
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