The Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy went hammer and tongs at the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) for his recent comments on the “Taliban-like situation and like Afghanistan.” Speaking to the media, the polished leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kishan Reddy on Saturday made it clear that KCR can criticise the BJP but he should not speak in a manner that tarnishes or reduces our country’s prestige.
It may be recalled that in a veiled attack on the BJP, KCR had on Thursday blamed that stoking religious and caste fanaticism and divisiveness in society would lead to undesirable circumstances and a “Taliban-like situation and like Afghanistan.” Responding to this, Kishan Reddy alleged that the Rao “family is speaking” in a way that reduces the country’s respect and image. They should see how bomb blasts, imposition of curfews, communal riots, and others have declined in India, he pointed out. He observed that thousands of children, belonging to minority communities, including Muslims are raising slogans near the Dal lake in Jammu and Kashmir in support of our country.
“Is the country becoming like Afghanistan for him? Is this the way you speak? You speak politics but don’t reduce the country’s respect. You criticise Narendra Modi ji. No problem. We will answer. But, it has become a habit to speak in a way that reduces the country’s respect at the international level,” Reddy lambasted Rao. Without mentioning KCR’s name, Reddy alleged that the former speaks in a way insulting the soldiers, and compares the country’s economy with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “Is this your decorum?” he countered.
Kishan Reddy did not forget to take the credit for the Vande Bharat train between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, which is to be virtually launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. He hailed the train is a ‘Sankranti Gift’ to the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The train was initially proposed to run up to Vijayawada, but it was extended to Visakhapatnam as per his request, he claimed. He also spoke about the Union Government’s ongoing recruitment drive and its initiatives in the health sector and also on the funds provided to Telangana.
By countering Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at every opportunity without mincing any words, Kishan Reddy would like to be visible to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in view of the elections to the Telangana Legislative Assembly likely to be held this year. Kishan Reddy is placing himself firmly in the front in the race to be the next chief minister of Telangana. He does not use crude language to attack Chief Minister KCR, unlike the State BJP president Bandi Sanjay. He makes sure that the attack on KCR is not seen as personal.
Kishan Reddy is raring to go in the months to come as the political scene in Telangana heats up in the run-up to the Legislative Assembly. He seems to be the BJP’s bet and he is seen as a clear front-runner for the top job!
