BJP Chief Accuses BRS of Launching Smear Campaign as Probes Continue

Hyderabad: Telangana's BJP leadership has levelled accusations at the BRS, claiming the opposition party is orchestrating a coordinated campaign to tarnish the saffron party's image amid ongoing investigations.

N. Ramchander Rao, president of the Telangana BJP, made the charges during a meeting at the party's state office on Monday. He contended that BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao has spearheaded efforts to damage BJP's reputation, driven by apprehension surrounding probes into irregularities linked to the Kaleshwaram project and the Formula E-Race case.

According to Rao, the BRS has invested substantial sums in a multi-pronged strategy involving billboards, digital media outreach, and sympathetic media coverage to undermine the party and its senior figures.

Defending Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Rao asserted that pursuing anticipatory bail represents a constitutionally protected legal recourse and cannot reasonably be characterized as an act of evasion.

Rao emphasised that any legal proceedings would proceed according to established judicial processes should evidence of impropriety emerge. Yet he turned the tables on BRS leadership, questioning their position during the Delhi liquor scam controversy. He pointed out that senior BRS leaders retained their positions despite serious charges being brought against relatives of KTR.

On the question of governance accountability, Rao drew attention to crime statistics affecting women in the state. Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau, he highlighted that reported cases rose substantially from 14,147 in 2014 to 23,679 in 2023 under BRS administration. He challenged the BRS leadership's credibility to speak on matters of women's security and ethical governance, suggesting the party should address its own track record rather than targeting the BJP.

Rao also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approaching completion of 12 years in office. He called on BJP volunteers to mobilise support for campaigns including "Mera Bharat–Mera Yogdaan" and "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam," which focus on environmental stewardship and resource conservation.

He urged citizens to adopt sustainable practices including fuel conservation, increased reliance on mass transit systems, promotion of electric mobility, and environmental responsibility. Rao framed these initiatives as part of the nation's broader trajectory toward self-reliance and prosperity under Modi's administration.

Addressing party cadres, Rao stressed the importance of disseminating information about central government welfare and development schemes across Telangana, bringing flagship programmes to communities at the grassroots level.