Telangana central funds dispute: Konda Surekha criticises BJP ‘Jai Sri Ram’ chants, Bandi Sanjay responds

Telangana Forest Minister Konda Surekha accused BJP leaders of focusing on rallies and ‘Jai Sri Ram’ chants while failing to secure central funds and schemes for the state. Speaking in Warangal, she questioned what the slogan delivered for Telangana. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar replied that attacks on Hindutva now face public pushback.

Telangana Forest Minister Konda Surekha accused BJP leaders in the state of focusing on religious slogans, not Central support. Surekha said public meetings and chants did not bring funds or schemes to Telangana. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar rejected the remarks. Bandi Sanjay Kumar said criticism of Hindutva now draws a response.

Speaking at a public meeting in Warangal, Surekha questioned what Telangana gained from BJP events. "They dont have the right to talk about promises. They only organise meetings and say Jai Shri Ram. By saying Jai Shri Ram, are we getting any funds from the top Centre or schemes or something else? Nothing. They make Modi attend a meeting with a speech in Hindi,\" Surekha said.

Telangana BJP funds from Centre debate after Jai Shri Ram remarks

Surekha also targeted two Union ministers from Telangana, G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Surekha alleged both ministers did not try to secure funds from the Centre. Surekha added that the ministers stayed quiet despite what Surekha called injustice to the state. The comments intensified the exchange between the Congress and BJP leaders.

Telangana BJP funds from Centre row draws Bandi Sanjay Kumar response

Bandi Sanjay Kumar objected to linking religious slogans with money and government support. Bandi Sanjay Kumar said, \"attacking Hindutva is not a free pass anymore.\" Bandi Sanjay Kumar added that Hindus were responding to attacks on Hindutva. Bandi Sanjay Kumar also claimed recent election results showed visible pushback.

Telangana BJP funds from Centre argument tied to Hindutva examples

Bandi Sanjay Kumar listed past controversies to support the point about voter reactions. \"Sabarimala gold theft - Pinarayi Vijayan, Eradicate Sanatana Dharma row - Stalin, Ganda dharm/Mrityu Kumbh remarks - Mamata Banerjee, Tirumala row - Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Hindu bondhu jibe - K Chandrashekar Rao. Every time faith becomes a political punchline, voters seem to answer in their own way,\" Bandi Sanjay Kumar said.

Bandi Sanjay Kumar said the same pattern applied to the Telangana remarks. \"Now, if a Telangana Congress minister links Jai Shri Ram to money, the trend is already visible in what follows,\" Bandi Sanjay Kumar said. The exchange kept focus on claims over Central funds and on how religious slogans were used in political messaging.

With inputs from PTI