Hyderabad: The BJP in Telangana is experiencing a rare internal power struggle as leaders vie for the position of State unit chief. Long-time party members with Sangh affiliations and newcomers from other political parties are promoting their own candidacies and critiquing others.
Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajendar, who was initially expected to join the Union Cabinet, was passed over in favour of G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, both staunch RSS supporters. Rajendar, along with Mahbubnagar MP-elect D.K. Aruna, was also considered for Cabinet roles, reflecting the party’s expansion strategy.
Attention has now shifted to the appointment of the State party chief, with Goshamahal MLA T. Raja Singh emphasising the need for a strong leader to secure victory in the next Assembly elections. Rajendar's recent speech underscored his readiness to challenge the current Chief Minister and his reputation for holding the government accountable.
“My 24-year-old political history is before you. I fought with four Chief Ministers. Someone had made a statement on me… If time comes, a leader who can hit on the hump of the elephant is required. I can fight with the current Chief Minister. I feel, I am having a responsibility to challenge and fight with the Chief Minister, if he fails to fulfill the promises made to the people,” he had said.
Other contenders include Nizamabad MP-elect Dharmapuri Arvind and senior leader N.V.S.S. Prabhakar. With the BJP's growing presence in Telangana, the leadership seeks a popular, clean-image leader. The party had previously promised a BC leader for the Chief Minister role, sparking speculation that the state chief could also be a BC leader.
