BJP chief slams Revanth Reddy for equating Owaisi brothers with Modi, Shah

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Friday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for equating AIMIM leaders with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Rao termed the comparison "absurd" and questioned the Chief Minister's authority to issue "certificates of patriotism" to the Owaisi brothers.

Addressing the media, Rao asserted that leaders like Modi and Shah are "true patriots" and demanded that the Chief Minister explain his reasoning for labelling the Owaisi brothers as patriotic. He also challenged both Revanth Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to define their understanding of patriotism and clarify where they draw the line.

Rao argued that patriotism entails respecting national symbols, including the national flag, anthem, and song. He alleged that AIMIM legislators, including its top leadership, failed to stand during the rendition of Vande Mataram in the Assembly. In this context, he described the characterisation of the Owaisis as "patriots" as "laughable" and a "gross insult" to the country's citizens.

While welcoming the Chief Minister's acknowledgement of the patriotism of Modi and Shah, Rao accused the Congress of engaging in appeasement politics to secure AIMIM's support. He further suggested that the Congress could demonstrate its own patriotism by ensuring the full rendition of Vande Mataram in the Assembly.

In a separate development, a delegation led by BJP Mahila Morcha State president Dr. Mekala Shilpa Reddy met Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at Raj Bhavan. The delegation submitted a memorandum alleging a deterioration in law and order in Telangana since the Congress government assumed office, citing rising incidents of rape, atrocities, and assaults against women.

Highlighting the recent rape and murder of a nurse in Tukkuguda, the delegation demanded an ex gratia payment of ₹1 crore for the victim's family. Dr. Reddy also sought a government job for either the victim's mother or brother as rehabilitation, and urged the government to ensure a speedy trial through a fast-track court, calling for the strictest punishment for the accused.