BJP LEADER JITHENDER REDDY'S FUNNY TWEET SPARKS ROW IN BJP; CLARIFIES LATER

BJP leader Jithender Reddy's funny tweet sparks row in BJP; clarifies later 

The tweet showed a farmer lifting the tail of a lazy yak that refuses to get into a van like others and gave a sound kick on its ass. The yak jumped into the van.

By CR Gowri Shanker 

Published on 30 June 2023 9:01 AM 

Hyderabad: A funny video tweet by BJP's ex-MP and National Executive Member A P Jithender Reddy has kicked up a furor and raised eyebrows in political circles. 

“This treatment is what’s required for BJP Telangana leadership,” the tweet said. 

The tweet showed a farmer lifting the tail of a lazy yak that refuses to get into a van like others and gave a sound kick on its ass. The yak jumped into the van. 

Jithender Reddy tagged the tweet to @blsanthosh @BJP4India @AmitShah @sunilbansalbjp, and @BJP4Telangana 

Everyone who had gone through the tweet presumed it was targeted at BJP State President Bandi Sanjay.

As the tweet garnered quick reaction from Twitterati, party leaders and workers, pro and anti-comments against Jithender Reddy, the ex-BJP MP quickly posted another tweet in Telugu as a clarification. 

Jithender Reddy explained that his tweet was against KCR social media dogs who should know that those questioning Bandi Sanjay’s leadership should get this kind of treatment. They are playing havoc for a few crumbs, he quipped. But the damage was done.

While Jitender Reddy was busy in a meeting and could not speak, N V Subhash, official spokesman of BJP Telangana told NewsMeter that it was wrong to interpret the tweet as one against the party president. 

"He (Jitender Reddy) has clarified in another tweet. The matter should end there," he said.

Twitterati latched on to Jithender Reddy’s tweet, some were in splits, some for and against the tweet including party activists. 

Umakar Reddy@ “aha, bandi ki manchi treatment”. 

Another said, “Sir please delete this tweet, it is showing @BJP Telangana in bad light.”

 Vinay Gujjarlapudi tweeted, ”For your kind information!! I hope ur the one of those.”

 Another said: “His Twitter account was hacked it seems.” 

Karnataka effect 

BJP has been in the news for the wrong reasons since the party’s debacle in the neighbouring Karnataka assembly elections. The leaders and cadre who were in an upbeat mood till then looked subdued. 

In Telangana, the party aims to capture power in the assembly elections and sure of winning maximum Lok Sabha seats under the Modi wave. 

Party fails to attract Ponguleti, Jupally 

But the anticipated joining of former BRS leaders MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and ex-minister Jupally Krishna Rao failed to take off and both along with 33 others joined the Congress party in the presence of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Party leader Rahul Gandhi, TPCC president A Revanth Reddy. 

This has dampened the spirits of the party leaders and cadre. Besides, there were rumours of a change in Telangana party leadership, and unhappiness among some leaders including MLA Etala Rajender, MLA Raghunandan Rao, Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, etc. National BJP leadership stepped in and spoke to the leaders. 

Threat to Etala Rajender 

Added to this, Etala Rajender’s wife Jamuna alleged that there was a threat to her husband’s life from BRS MLC Kaushik Reddy. 

Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao immediately asked DGP Anjani Kumar to get in touch with Etala Rajender and if needed enhance his security. DGP sent Medchal DCP Sandeep to Etala Rajender, and the latter enquired about the security threat and promised needed security. 

Bandi Sanjay dismisses rumours 

But party president and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar repeatedly dismissed the talk of change in the leadership, dissidence, and unhappiness among leaders in the party. He asserted party will win in Telangana State in the ensuing elections. 

He alleged BRS and KCR were floating rumours of a change in the leadership to confuse the cadre and demean the party. BJP national leadership and Telangana in charge Tarun Chugh had also dismissed the rumours. 

Leaders of 10 states to meet in Hyderabad

BJP has decided to hold a meeting of party chiefs in Hyderabad on July 8. Besides Telangana, leaders from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman, Goa, Diu, Daman, and Lakshadweep will participate and discuss the ensuing election strategy. 

 

BRS CALLS MAHARASHTRA TOUR SUCCESSFUL-- KCR EARNS WRATH OF SHIV SENA- CONGRESS

 

BRS calls Maharashtra tour successful, KCR earns wrath of Shiv Sena, Congress 

On KCR holding a public meeting in Sarkoli village, it was said that it would have been better if the visit focussed on enhancing mutual cooperation between the two states 

By CR Gowri Shanker 

Published on 28 June 2023 3:45 PM

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi President K Chandrashekar Rao is in an upbeat mood over the response to BRS in Maharashtra, but Maha leaders are upset.

Back from the pilgrimage-cum-political tour of Pandharpur in Solapur District and Tuljapur in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra, KCR is now planning another big public meeting in Nanded soon. CM KCR reached Pragathi Bhavan at 10.45 pm on Tuesday night.

Sources in the BRS party told Newsmeter that the response to KCR and BRS was beyond what was expected and the Chief Minister is keen to advance the BRS party into Maharashtra notwithstanding criticism from rival Shiv Sena rival factions, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress Parties. BJP has been by and large silent about KCR's latest move.

“It was a very successful tour. The response from the public was beyond our expectations. People lined up on either side of the road to welcome us. Actually, chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his entourage went to offer prayers to Shri Vitthal Rukmini temple in Pandharpur and Tula Bhavani temple in Tuljapur. Since we were coming, the local BRS leaders arranged a meeting and some new members were added to the party,” K Keshava Rao, BRS secretary general and MP told NewsMeter.

He added, “There was a tremendous response all through the journey and people wholeheartedly welcomed us at various villages. About 30,000 attended the public meeting.” Keshava Rao was among the scores of ministers, MPs, MLAs and senior party leaders who travelled with KCR.

Malkapuram Shiva Kumar, chairman, Combined Medak District Cooperative Marketing Society (DCMS), said the people were impressed by the welfare schemes in Telangana State, especially farmers because of schemes such as Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bheema etc. BRS has created a positive impression among the people, especially farmers in Maharashtra and this has jolted the parties in the neighbouring state.

Shankar Anna Dhongde, BRS leader in Maharashtra, said there was a very good response from people and the people of Maharashtra were yearning for a change. However, KCR earned the wrath of Shiv Sena and Congress parties for trying to make political capital out of an annual festival in Pandharpur.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde was quick to curtail political mileage to KCR by denying permission to shower rose flower petals by helicopter on Waris visiting the temple and also directed the local administration to remove all political cutouts and banners from the vicinity of the Vithoba Temple.

Media reports claimed KCR led a 600-vehicle entourage, but a BRS leader disputed it saying there were about 300 vehicles. “The figure is exaggerated. Around 300 vehicles mean 3 km long,” he added.

KCR entourage faced bottlenecks in Umerga and other places en route from the local police due to the Pandharpur Waris yatra. They were initially denied permission to drive a large number of vehicles but were allowed later after assurances that they would not disturb the annual yatra to Pandharpur.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar too took a dig at KCR saying there was no objection to a chief minister of a neighbouring state coming to offer prayers, “but the attempt to show big strength in terms of number of vehicles was worrisome.”

On KCR holding a public meeting in Sarkoli village, he said it would have been better if the visit focussed on enhancing mutual cooperation between the two states.

He also took light of Bhagirath Bhalke joining BRS. “Bhalke had unsuccessfully contested the 2021 Pandharpur Assembly bypoll on an NCP ticket and there was no need to worry if the individual left the party. Our decision to give a ticket to him was wrong,” he said.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut too fumed at KCR saying “There will be no impact of Telangana CM KCR on Maharashtra politics. If KCR will do drama like this, he will lose Telangana also. Fearing loss, he came to Maharashtra but his 12-13 ministers/MPs joined the Congress yesterday. This is a fight between KCR and Congress. MVA is strong in Maharashtra.”

Raut, who is also the executive editor of Dainik Saamana, Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece, also flayed KCR in his paper.

Advocate Nikhil Kamble from Maharashtra, commenting on KCR’s visit, said, “Maharashtra is facing thousands of issues. No one from Maharashtra is interested in his visit. Women are being attacked, students are protesting over exam leaks, there is corruption in the conduct of exams, hostels are poorly maintained, youth is waiting for employment, farmers are committing suicides due to the failure of the MSP facility by the government, etc. These issues are there in Telangana too which shows that KCR failed in governance. So, Maharashtrians are not at all interested in his visit with 600 cars.”

- with inputs from Kaniza Garari

KALIGHAT TO PANDHARPUR: HOW KCR IS FINDING AGRI-RICH MAHARASHTRA IDEAL LAUNCHING PAD FOR BRS

Kalighat to Pandharpur: How KCR is finding agri-rich Maharashtra ideal launching pad for BRS 

For the first time, KCR took his entire cabinet, and senior party leaders for darshan of the Lord Vithobha for success in Maharashtra 

By CR Gowri Shanker 

Published on 27 June 2023 11:40 AM

Hyderabad: From Kalighat to Pandharpur, Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, is taking the “temple” route to promote his national political agenda. 

The latest visit to the famed Shri Vitthal Rukmini temple in Pandharpur in Solapur District and Tulja Bhavani temple in Tuljapur of Osmanabad District of Maharashtra is an indication.

For the first time, KCR took his entire cabinet, and senior party leaders for darshan of the Lord Vithobha for success in Maharashtra and also in the ensuing Assembly election this year in a mammoth 600 motorcade as a show of strength.

CM timed his visit to the temple when lakhs of waris walk from Dehu, Alandi, and other parts of Maharashtra to participate in the annual Ashadhi palanquin procession to Pandharpur to honor Lord Vithoba. It’s one of the biggest pilgrimages in the world. 

It is believed Saints Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram started the pilgrimage which has been part of Hindu culture in Maharashtra since the 13th century during the Bhakti movement.

KCR planned to shower rose petals from a helicopter, but the Maharashtra government denied permission. 

Nana Patole, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president and Sakoli MLA was quick to slam KCR for trying to make political capital out of an annual wari pilgrimage to Vithobha temple. 

“BRS is the B team of BJP. KCR left Hyderabad with a 600-car rally to make political capital out of the annual 10 lakh wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Several such parties have come and gone in the past. Congress will form next Government in Maharashtra,” he tweeted in Marathi. 

Solapur is famous for Sri Siddarameshwar Temple and was once the hub of the textile industry. The famous thick “Solapur chuddhars” (bedsheets) originated from this place besides other textile material, which is famous all over the country. 

Interestingly, Solapur has about 4 lakh Telugu-speaking weavers’ community (Shali) who had migrated from Telangana long back given large-scale textile mills, most of which are now shut. It also has a huge Veerashaiva Lingayat population.

As part of its foray into national politics, KCR had recently addressed meetings in Nagpur, Nanded, Kandhar Loha and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Aurangabad etc in Maharashtra State. 

KCR finds agri-rich Maharashtra an ideal launching pad for his BRS party since he is implemented several pro-farmer schemes in Telangana which he promises to replicate there.

His slogan “Ab ki baar kisan sarkar” (this time a farmer’s government) promises to implement Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima, free power to the farm sector, free water, 24-hour uninterrupted power supply etc promoting the Telangana model of development. Toward his goal, KCR inaugurated BRS first office in Nagpur on June 15. 

KCR, who is going solo at present, is taking on Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, NCP of Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), BJP, and Congress. 

Politics via temple visits are nothing new for KCR. In the past, KCR visited the famed Kalighat temple in Kolkata in West Bengal in December 2018 to offer prayers and took the opportunity to meet West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata in a bid to step up efforts for a non-BJP and non-Congress Federal front. But the move fizzled out. 

He had earlier visited Puri Jagannath temple and also met Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on a similar “temple cum Political” trip. Naveen Patnaik was quick to deny political talks saying “KCR had come to visit the temple.” 

KCR said in Kolkata, "I came to visit the Kalighat (famed Kali temple in Kolkata) and I thought of meeting Didi and seek her blessings."

Similarly, KCR offered prayers at the famous Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangam near Tiruchirapalli in December 2021 and later called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and his family. He described it as a "courtesy call."

Besides unity among Opposition parties, the issue of interlinking rivers like Cauvery and Godavari also came up in the talks. 

Interestingly, DMK is in alliance with Congress then and rejected KCR’s overtures to join the Third Front. Finding no takers for his non-BJP and non-Congress political agenda in the country, he has decided to go solo through the darshan of various temples! 

Though KCR visited many states in the country, he is yet to step into neighboring Telugu-speaking Andhra Pradesh to promote BRS. 

Will he do it through Tirumala is to be seen. 

More photos:

                                      KCR at Kalighat

KARNATAKA RICE POLITICS: KCR TRIES TO STAY AWAY AS BRS SEEMINGLY WARMS UP TO BJP

 

Karnataka rice politics: KCR tries to stay away as BRS seemingly warms up to BJP

Highly placed sources told NewsMeter that BRS government is trying to wriggle out of the Karnataka-Centre feud on rice and other issues. 

By CR Gowri Shanker 

Published on 26 June 2023 2:00 PM

Hyderabad: Telangana government has been caught in a piquant situation over its neighbour Karnataka’s plea for supply of rice to implement its ambitious free “Anna Bhagya Scheme.”

While Telangana offered paddy to the Congress ruled Karnataka to tide over its ambitious free rice scheme, but the later insists on supply of rice.

KCR government has curtly turned down the request, for its own personal and political reasons, it is learnt.

Highly placed sources told NewsMeter that BRS government is trying to wriggle out of the Karnataka-Centre feud on rice and other issues. 

With BRS trying to cozy up to the Modi government again, a decision to help neighbouring Karnataka has put them in quandary. Karnataka shares close ties and borders with Telangana State.

Starting trouble: Congress government in Karnataka’s pet scheme is having starting trouble in view of the non-availability of required quantity of rice to implement its promise.

Though the Siddaramaiah government accuses Centre of trying to derail and defame the government which won the assembly election on the promises of freebies, sources said the government’s calculations had gone wrong. 

“They have asked us for rice, we offered them paddy. They insisted on rice supply. We expressed out inability. Reasons are obvious. I feel they have miscalculated freebies in a bid to win elections,” a highly placed source in the government said. 

BRS keeps away from Karnataka 

BRS, which has national political ambition, is not making any foray into Karnataka politics at present and focusing on Maharashtra. 

2.3 metric tons of rice per month needed 

Karnataka needs 2.3 million metric tonnes of rice a month, which is not available in any State, to fulfill one of its ambitious electoral promises. 

Karnataka Anna Bhagya Scheme, popularly known as “Karnataka Free Rice Distribution Scheme,” provides for free 10 kgs rice to each person per month but conditions apply. 

The beneficiary should have Below Poverty Line (BPL) card, residence proof of staying in Karnataka, Domicile certificate, mobile number, Aadhar Card, BPL/Antyodaya Anna Card. The beneficiary must visit the local ration shop with their BPL card to draw the ration every month. July 1 launch date Siddaramaiah government has promised to launch the scheme from July 1, but going by the present state of affairs, it could miss the date unless some miracle happens. Karnataka government is exploring other avenues to put their schemes on the rail.

Telangana, galloping in all sectors, is slated for record paddy production of over 1.5 core tonnes during Yasangi (Rabi). The state is also facing a challenge over purchases by the Centre. Paddy production which was 99,33,471 Metric tons (MTs) in 2013-2014 reached 2,48,65,662 MTs in 2021-22 the increase was 150 percent. And it’s going up annually.

While blasting the Centre for denying rice and pursuing “hate politics,” Siddaramaiah is trying to procure rice from the National Agricultural Coop Federation (Nafed), Kendriya Bhandar, and the National Coop Consumers Federation of India (NCCF). But the price they are quoting has become a big hitch. 

Congress romped home victorious in Karnataka elections beating formidable BJP promises huge freebies to electorate and with a promise to ensure “Sarva Jan Angada Shanthiya Thota” (Peaceful Garden for all communities). 

Karnataka Congress manifesto gave five guarantees: Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi, and Shakti. AICC president Mallikharjun Kharge to win over the electorate remarked during elections, "I am giving the sixth guarantee that these guarantees will surely be implemented in the first cabinet meeting on the first day of the government formation.” 

All eyes are now on the new Karnataka government!  

DRESS APPROPRIATELY TO TEMPLE OR NO ENTRY

 Dress appropriately or no entry, order Karnataka temples

The temple managements have put up notice boards at the entrance of all the major temples with photos of dresses to be worn by men and women inside the temple and those that are banned.

 

By C R Gowri Shanker

Published on 18 June 2023 10:00 AM

Hyderabad: Next time you wish to go on a holiday-cum-pilgrimage to neighbouring Karnataka, have a proper dress sense when visiting Hindu temples!

If your dress is `inappropriate’ or not as prescribed by the temple authorities, you will be sent back—whether you are a man or a woman!

Of course, there is a solution if you happen to wear hot pants or shorts etc. You can pay Rs 30 and hire a white lungi, which will help cover your modesty!

A strict dress code is a common practice at many temples in Karnataka. There is a rigid dress code in Shree Talacauvery Temple, the birth place of River Cauvery, Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri in Coorg district and other major temples across Karnataka.

The temple managements have put up notice boards at the entrance of all the major temples with photos of dresses to be worn by men and women inside the temple and those that are banned.

 

“Other than traditional dress, shorts/minis are restricted in the temple premises,” reads a notice board with photos of dress examples at a temple’s entrance. “SHORT DRESS NOT ALLOWED” reads a notice board loudly at the Omkareshwar Temple.

There are also notice boards that say ‘No photography and no video recording. Photography and videography are banned here, unlike some temples in North India where it is allowed.

 

What we have observed is that the security personnel and pujaris, who notice anyone wearing a dress above the knee, disallow the persons from entering the temple, especially into the sanctum sanctorum. In some temples, men have to remove shirts before entering the temple, since in the olden days wearing a shirt was considered ostentatious and a symbol of wealth.

Many young men and women from Bengaluru (Bangalore) and its neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana plan weekend travel holidays. But those who wear hot pants, shorts, tight jeans and other ‘objectionable’ dresses will be sent back by security personnel outside the temple.

 

“We do not allow men or women who do not wear inappropriate dress inside the temple. This is the decision of the temple management. However, it should also be borne in mind that when you are visiting temples as per Hindu tradition, we should wear an appropriate dress,” remarked a security officer.

He added, “Such restrictions are not confined to Hindu temples. The same is followed at churches, mosques, gurudwaras, etc.”

Hijab row Karnataka has recently witnessed a hijab row, where Muslim girls wearing a hijab or a burkha have been barred from entering examination halls and schools.

This has kicked up a massive row across the country and became a key issue in the recently held state elections. Congress won the polls defeating BJP and one of the promises is to ease restrictions on hijab.

In fact, the hijab and the burkha issue has polarised the electorate and the communities, resulting in clashes at some places before polls. Not just in Karnataka, restrictions on devotees on what to wear inside the temple are there in all temples in the country including the world-famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh.

Karnataka State has 34,563 temples. In fact, the former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, who lost power to Congress in recent polls, promised that his government will bring in a law to “free Hindu temples” from state control, which is a long pending demand of the Sangh Parivar.

More photos:

 Notice board on dress code at the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Panjim in Goa.