BJP Slams Revanth Reddy's Remarks On Muslims

Strongly condemning Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent comments "aimed at attracting Muslim votes", State BJP president N Ramchander Rao today alleged that the CM's remarks had once again exposed the Congress' divisive and appeasement politics.

Speaking to the media, Rao said that the Chief Minister had claimed that Muslims continued to have respect and existence in society because of the Congress, and that without the Congress they would have no support.

"These statements clearly prove that the Congress continues to rely on religion-based vote bank politics. The remarks reflect a dangerous attempt to incite social divisions for political gains," he said.

The BJP chief also accused the Congress of deceiving the majority community in its attempts to secure the support of the 20% Muslim population by neglecting the sentiments of the 80% Hindu population. "Is this your idea of secularism?" he asked, and warned the Congress that people would give a fitting reply to such arrogance and appeasement politics in the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election.

Rao also challenged Reddy, saying, "If your party and you want the votes of only the Muslims and do not care about the Hindu votes, then have the courage to say it publicly. The 80% Hindu population of Telangana is watching your comments."

He added that true justice for the Muslim community lay in education, employment and economic empowerment, and not in vote bank politics, and accused the Congress of viewing the Muslims merely as a vote bank right since its inception.

Condemning the Chief Minister's alleged remarks threatening voters with the cancellation of ration cards, fine rice distribution and free bus benefits if they failed to vote for the Congress, Rao said that such statements were "an insult to democracy and an attack on people's freedom".

Rao said that the BJP stood firmly with the people and was emerging as a force that united the nation and society, and expressed confidence that the party would secure victory in the Jubilee Hills by-election.