Hyderabad: Following the Union budget's omission of funds for Telangana, BJP MPs and MLAs are under fire from both the ruling Congress and opposition BRS. The absence of allocations for Telangana, in contrast to benefits extended to neighboring Andhra Pradesh under the Reorganisation Act, has become a potent weapon for criticism.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directly criticized BJP leaders for their perceived incompetence in securing funds for the state. The BRS has echoed similar sentiments, condemning what they see as the BJP's ineptitude in advocating for Telangana's interests.
Congress has announced plans to confront the BJP in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha over what they describe as a step-motherly attitude from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman towards Telangana. This development poses a significant challenge for the BJP as it aims to expand its base in the state, particularly with local body elections approaching.
In response, BJP MPs are expected to face scrutiny and tough questions from Congress leaders regarding the Centre's stance on Telangana's fiscal needs, contrasting it with the support given to Andhra Pradesh. Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay are anticipated to be at the forefront of these discussions.
Meanwhile, the BRS, leveraging the discontent over the budget's neglect of Telangana, is poised to criticize both Congress and BJP for their perceived failure to uphold the state's interests despite holding substantial parliamentary representation.
As the political landscape evolves, with the BJP striving for deeper roots in Telangana and the Congress defending its governance record, the budget's impact on state dynamics remains a pivotal issue shaping future electoral strategies and public sentiment.