Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday claimed that the Congress has been more successful in southern India because the BJP had “stolen” the political symbolism around Lord Ram, while drawing a distinction between religious traditions in the north and south.
Speaking at a media conclave in New Delhi, Reddy described people in the south as “Dravidians” and those in the north as “Aryans”, and linked the Congress’s differing electoral fortunes across regions to what he described as contrasting religious associations. He claimed Shiva was predominantly worshipped in the south while Lord Ram had become central to the BJP’s political messaging in the north.
‘BJP stole Ram’
Asked why the Congress had found greater electoral success in southern states than in the north, east and west, Reddy said religious sentiment was an important factor. “BJP stole Ram. It’s an emotion. It’s a sentiment,” he said.
Reddy questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders frequently used “Jai Shri Ram” but, according to him, did not similarly invoke “Har Har Mahadev” from political stages. He went on to claim that Shiva represented the poor while Ram represented the rich, linking the distinction to his criticism of the BJP as a party favouring the wealthy.
‘SIR, go back’
Reddy also stepped up his attack on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, predicting that Opposition parties would eventually launch a nationwide agitation against the exercise on the lines of the “Simon Go Back” movement during the freedom struggle.
He said Opposition leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin would have to come together for a “SIR, go back” campaign. Reddy alleged that the electoral roll revision was being used to delete votes and benefit the BJP, a charge the BJP and Election Commission have rejected in the wider political debate over SIR.
North-south argument
The Telangana Chief Minister also criticised the composition of the Union government, pointing to key portfolios including Home, Defence and Commerce being held by leaders from northern states. He argued that southern states needed adequate representation in national decision-making.
Reddy also raised concerns over delimitation and the possible impact of population-based redistribution of Lok Sabha seats on southern states. Southern leaders have argued that states which successfully controlled population growth should not consequently lose political representation.
Bandi Sanjay hits back
Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised Reddy’s remarks, accusing the Telangana Chief Minister of attempting to create a political divide between Lord Ram and Lord Shiva and between northern and southern India.
Sanjay Kumar pointed to Vemulawada, associated with Lord Shiva, and Bhadrachalam, associated with Lord Ram, in Telangana to challenge Reddy’s north-south formulation. He also cited Prime Minister Modi’s representation of Varanasi in the Lok Sabha and the significance of the Kashi Vishwanath temple in the city.
Education push
Reddy also used the conclave to speak about his government’s initiatives in education and skill development, including the Young India Skills University. He said Telangana was seeking to strengthen its education ecosystem and prepare young people for emerging employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister is in Delhi for a two-day visit and is also scheduled to participate in a Congress Working Committee meeting on Tuesday.