Hyderabad: The hardliners of Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are once again in the spotlight. Goshamahal MLA T. Raja Singh has unleashed a barrage of sensational remarks, targeting the state party leadership and raising serious concerns about its direction.
In a scathing critique, Raja Singh has highlighted deep-seated issues within the party, including leadership conflicts, allegations of factionalism, and neglect of grassroots workers, signaling a growing unrest within the BJP’s Telangana ranks.
Raja Singh hinted at the imminent appointment of a new BJP state president for Telangana, stating, “Very soon, Telangana will get a new BJP president.” However, he questioned the decision-making process, asking whether the state committee or the central committee would finalize the choice.
He expressed skepticism about the autonomy of the state leadership. He warned that if the state committee selects the president, the appointee might merely serve as a “rubber stamp” for the central leadership, lacking real authority.
The outspoken MLA accused previous state presidents of forming their own groups within the party, which he claimed caused significant damage to the BJP’s prospects in Telangana. “Some presidents, as soon as they took charge, created their own factions and harmed the party,” he alleged.
Raja Singh further criticized the current leadership for sidelining dedicated workers who have made sacrifices for the party, including those who went to jail during agitations. “The party has pushed aside workers who fought for it, while tying the hands and feet of good leaders, MPs, and MLAs,” he lamented.
Raja Singh argued that the BJP could form a government in Telangana if its MLAs and MPs were given a “free hand” to operate without interference from the state leadership. He urged the incoming president to avoid “secret backdoor meetings” with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
He made similar charges against some party leaders in the past. “The BJP is a Hindutva party. It should stand by workers who work for dharma (righteousness),” he emphasized, underscoring the ideological foundation he believes the party should uphold.
Reflecting on the party’s internal dynamics, Raja Singh accused the leadership of historically “trampling” senior leaders and grassroots workers. “I am only echoing what’s in the hearts of our workers,” he said, positioning himself as a voice for the rank and file.
He revealed that some leaders had advised him to raise concerns internally rather than through the media. However, he justified his public outburst, stating, “I take issues to our senior leaders, but when they don’t listen, I have no choice but to bring these matters before the public.”
Raja Singh’s remarks come at a time when the Telangana BJP is grappling with internal fissures and a lack of cohesion. The delay in appointing a new state president—only 24 of the 33 district units have presidents so far—has fueled discontent among party cadres. His allegations of factionalism, coupled with claims that the leadership is dominated by certain communities (such as the Reddy community, as he previously noted), point to a broader struggle for power and identity within the state unit.
The MLA’s warning about the potential damage from a new president continuing “groupism” underscores the stakes for the BJP in Telangana. With the party having increased its vote share and representation in recent elections – winning 8 seats in the 2023 Telangana Assembly polls and 8 Lok Sabha seats in 2024—any misstep could jeopardize its momentum in a state where it seeks to challenge the ruling Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Raja Singh’s defiance has put the BJP’s state and central leadership in a difficult position. His repeated clashes with the party hierarchy-most notably his suspension in 2022 over controversial remarks, which was later revoked—highlight a recurring tension between his hardline Hindutva stance and the party’s broader strategy. While he enjoys significant support in his Goshamahal constituency, his outspokenness has often embarrassed the leadership, prompting speculation about efforts to sideline him.
As the BJP prepares to announce its new Telangana president, Raja Singh’s latest salvo serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. Will the party address these internal rifts and empower its grassroots, or will it risk further alienation of key figures like Raja Singh? For now, the state unit remains a battleground of competing visions, with the outcome likely to shape the BJP’s future in Telangana.
