Banners Against Etala Spark Row in BJP

Hyderabad: Banners targeting party MP Etala Rajendar in parts of the city under Malkajgiri and Cyberabad municipal corporation limits have caused a flutter in party circles. The flexis, which appeared overnight, questioned his contributions since joining the party and hinted at alleged rifts with senior leaders.

Party president N. Ramchander Rao reacted swiftly, terming them a conspiracy aimed at creating divisions among leaders. He said political rivals were envious of the united struggle waged by the party’s MPs and MLAs, who had exposed the state government’s failure to procure paddy and other grains from farmers during the “Rythu Gosa – BJP Bharosa” bus yatra.

Nizamabad MP D. Arvind condemned the posters and extended support to Etala. In a joint statement, BJP MLAs and MLCs strongly denounced the banners, calling them a malicious political attack intended to undermine the party’s growing popularity in Telangana.

The statement, signed by 10 legislators, said: “We unequivocally denounce the banners arranged to belittle Rajendar. This is not merely a personal assault on a leader; it reflects the insecurity of rival political forces alarmed by the BJP’s rise in Telangana.” The leaders demanded a thorough investigation into the role of the ruling party and other opposition elements, accusing them of being unable to tolerate increasing public support for the BJP.

Highlighting Rajendar’s four decades of political service and his established public standing, the statement described attempts to humiliate him as the “lowest form of politics.” The leaders urged strict action against those responsible and called on authorities to identify and penalise the perpetrators.

Signatories included Assembly floor leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy; MLAs Payal Shankar, Katipally Venkat Ramana Reddy, Dr Palvai Harish Babu, Pawar Ramarao Patel, Paidi Rakesh Reddy, and Dhanpal Suryanarayana; Legislative Council floor leader A.V.N. Reddy; and MLCs Dr C. Anji Reddy and Malka Komarayya.

The release reiterated that the Telangana BJP remains united, asserting that such conspiracies cannot weaken party cohesion and that the people of Telangana are watching events closely. Complaints have been lodged with the Director General of police and at two commissionerates.