RSS Veterans Take Charge as BJP Recalibrates in Telugu States
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed party veterans with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) backgrounds as State presidents in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, apparently to achieve ideological alignment and organisational consolidation. This simultaneous, explicit emphasis on RSS-rooted leadership in both Telugu States has drawn media and political attention.
'Every karyakarta has to work hard if we want the BJP flag to fly over Golconda,' declared N. Ramachander Rao in his inaugural address as Telangana's new State president. Union Minister and former State president Bandi Sanjay Kumar had made similar declarations about reclaiming Golconda during his tenure.
Rao's appointment signals either a return to ideological fundamentals or an attempt to unite a fractured party, depending on perspective. The lawyer-turned-politician has warned against internal dissent, threatening legal action against those calling him a 'dummy' leader.
A political scientist, speaking anonymously, described Rao's selection as strategic balancing: 'A Brahmin leader with strong ideological roots, Rao's appointment could be an attempt to balance the OBC stronghold and Reddy leadership within the Telangana BJP. This will surely satisfy hardcore RSS supporters.'
Rao began his political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad nearly five decades ago during his undergraduate years. Although his involvement in the party has been steady, his electoral record remains modest—he lost the Malkajgiri Assembly seat in 2014, 2018, and 2023, as well as the 2019 Lok Sabha election for the same constituency. Party insiders were reportedly disappointed when he was nominated again in 2023. Analysts suggest he has waited a decade for such an appointment.
Also Read | NDA partners under pressure amid Waqf Bill controversy and namaz row
Eatela Rajender, who sought the presidency, faced resistance due to his Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) background and ideological incongruence. His recent remarks on the Kaleshwaram project are seen as softening his stance against the BRS.
BJP's struggle for power
Despite an expanding presence in Telangana, particularly in the northern districts, the BJP remains distant from power. Speculation about a Backward Class chief ministerial candidate has sparked discussion, with both Bandi Sanjay and Rajender expected to compete for the role.
Rao, addressing internal rifts, stated: 'There is no new or old in the BJP. Both the new and old timers should work towards strengthening the party.' His immediate challenge is the upcoming local body elections, and his broader mandate includes countering the BRS while targeting the Congress.
T. Raja Singh, MLA from Goshamahal, resigned in protest against Rao's appointment. Known for volatility, Singh has threatened to quit the party multiple times since 2016. In 2022, he faced a temporary suspension for controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The party has yet to respond to his resignation or his allegations of an undemocratic election.
In Andhra Pradesh, former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) P.V.N. Madhav has replaced Daggubati Purandeswari as State president following her two-year term. Purandeswari, daughter of former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party founder N.T. Rama Rao joined the BJP in 2014 after leaving the Congress. She now represents Rajahmundry in the Lok Sabha.
Madhav, 51 and the son of P.V. Chalapathi Rao, embodies second-generation BJP leadership with ABVP and RSS roots. Chalapathi Rao was instrumental in building the party in northern Andhra during the 1980s.
Analysts see Madhav's appointment as an attempt to engage Andhra Pradesh's substantial OBC voter base. 'Purandeswari's leadership was an aberration. With Madhav's selection, they are returning to ideological roots,' senior journalist and political analyst Telakapalli Ravi told Frontline.
Also Read | BJP's Tamil Nadu gambit
In his inaugural speech, Madhav cited his family's association with the BJP, the RSS's contributions, and his memories of the Emergency.
Despite modest electoral gains in the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has yet to establish a stronghold in Andhra Pradesh. Party leaders hope Madhav can secure better allocations among NDA allies for upcoming local body elections.
Though the new State presidents may seem measured rather than aggressive, they remain committed to Hindutva ideology. Their appointments signal to long-standing members that loyalty is acknowledged, Ravi noted.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
25 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Uddhav & Raj Thackeray Reunite at Mega ‘Maha Marathi' Rally in Mumbai
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Saturday take part in a joint victory rally organised by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), at Worli Dome to celebrate the MahaYuti government's decision to withdraw two government resolutions on the introduction of Hindi from Classes 1 to 5. It is the first joint rally of the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, after the split in the Shiv Sena in 2005. Amid talks of coming together ahead of the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, slated to be held within the next six months, Uddhav and Raj have decided to jointly raise the issues of the Marathi language and 'Marathi Manoos' in a serious bid to corner the BJP-led MahaYuti government in Maharashtra. Show more 01:19 03:12 01:58 02:53 06:10 11:43 05:37 06:01 01:27 02:54 07:22 03:42 03:33 09:32 04:44 03:05 08:00 02:32 06:12 03:26 03:21 03:26 08:15 02:07 03:01 02:29 02:36 01:37 08:45 02:36 03:37 03:42
The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
KTR accepts Revanth Reddy's ‘challenge' for debate on river water allocation, asks Telangana CM to decide venue in 72 hours
HYDERABAD Working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), K.T. Rama Rao, has accepted the 'challenge' thrown at the party (BRS) leadership by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at 'Samvidhan celebration' public meeting on Friday (July 4, 2025) for a debate on the issues pertaining to river water allocation and injustices to Telangana. 'Mr. Revanth Reddy can decide the venue of his choice for the debate at Kondareddypalle, Chintamadaka, Kodangal, Gajwel, Assembly or Ambedkar statue in the next 72 hours. Else, he could come to Press Club at 11 am on July 8 as I (KTR) would be waiting there for the debate', Mr. Rama Rao said addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday (July 5, 2025). 'I prefer Mr. Revanth Reddy to come for the debate as it would make things clear once for all or he could send his senior colleague. They could make ample preparation in the next 72 hours as issues related to water sharing are difficult to understand for the Congress leaders, while the BRS leaders lived with it all along the Statehood moved. I would personally come for the debate as BRS chief and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao would be too big for Mr. Reddy's level', the BRS working president said. Every Telanganite was aware as to what was the status of the farm sector in Telangana till 2014 and how it had transformed during 2014-23. He stated that several novel initiatives including increase in the irrigation facilities, free power for farming round-the-clock and timely supply of all other inputs by the BRS administration had made farming a celebration in Telangana and led the State to become top paddy producer in the country, displacing Punjab. Introduction of investment/input support, life insurance cover to every landholder and 24-hour free power supply to farming were the hallmark of BRS rule, as such interventions were made for the first time anywhere in the world. The Chief Minister Mr. Revanth Reddy was aware of everything but not ready to accept the reality and facts, Mr. Rama Rao said. Stating that denial of water for irrigation and drinking needs and power supply to farm sector along with discrimination in allocation of funds and jobs had led to the birth of the ultimate phase of the Statehood movement along, the BRS leader pointed out several failures and betrayal of promises made to the farming and other dependent sectors made in the name of Rythu Declaration and others, in detail. He said that Mr. Revanth Reddy too was fighting for water and funds but the only difference was that he was allowing Andhra Pradesh to illegally divert Godavari water to the non-basin areas in violation of the rights of Telangana within the basin in the name of Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP) and sending funds to Delhi (Congress leadership).
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Factionalism, narrative clarity, cultural disconnect: Challenges aplenty for new Bengal BJP chief
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel With the 2026 West Bengal assembly polls on the horizon, the BJP has placed its bet on soft-spoken RSS loyalist and party veteran Samik Bhattacharya to steer its troubled state unit out of a prolonged phase of internal discord, grassroots disarray and "cultural disconnect" with the Bengali as Bhattacharya, a quintessential Bengali 'bhadralok' takes charge, a key challenge before him is whether the state BJP under his leadership pursues a moderate, inclusive Hindutva line or continues with the combative and hardline posture championed by leaders like Suvendu Adhikari.A Rajya Sabha MP and one of the BJP's most articulate Bengali faces, Bhattacharya was recently unanimously elected president of the West Bengal unit, a move seen as an attempt to calm factional storms, revive a demoralised cadre and address the growing perception that it lacks cultural connect and ideological clarity in the state."The party is above individuals. My focus will be on strengthening the organisation and outreach at all levels. West Bengal deserves a better alternative to the politics of violence, corruption and communalism pursued by the TMC," Bhattacharya told PTI after taking alone, however, will likely not suffice, feel political analysts. The BJP in Bengal is confronting serious challenges, both internal and a marked shift in tone, Bhattacharya has sought to position the BJP as an inclusive force, distinct from the strident posturing of some of its leaders."The BJP's fight is not against the state's minorities. Young boys in minority households who are roaming around with stones - we want to snatch away the stones and hand them books. We want to take away their swords and give them pens instead. We envision a Bengal where a Durga Puja procession and a Muharram rally are held side by side without conflict," he had said remarks appear to be part of a conscious attempt to win over middle-class urban voters, liberal professionals, and the youth - groups that contributed to the BJP's 2021 assembly poll setback.A BJP leader said the party must reflect Bengal's unique political culture."We cannot grow in Bengal by alienating communities. If we want middle-class Bengali Hindus, liberal professionals and even silent first-time voters to back us, we have to show we can take along everybody and speak the language of inclusivity," he not everyone in the party is convinced."Bengal's voters want clarity. If we confuse them with half-hearted messaging, we lose core and swing voters," said a leader close to Adhikari, the face of the party's aggressive Hindutva plank and Leader of the minorities comprise nearly 30 per cent of the electorate and are a deciding factor in almost 120 of the 294 assembly analyst Maidul Islam told PTI that Bhattacharya's message signals a shift in the BJP's positioning in Bengal."What Bhattacharya said - the BJP is not the enemy of minorities and wants to protect pluralism - is something new for the Bengal unit, and in sharp contrast to what Adhikari and others have said. Whether Bhattacharya can make moderate Hindutva the party's dominant line remains to be seen," Islam TMC has long accused the BJP of promoting a 'Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan' model, out of sync with Bengal's cultural state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, however, dismissed such criticism."No one has a monopoly on Bengali culture. The BJP represents every Bengali who wants development and dignity," he TMC, meanwhile, remains unconvinced."The BJP is still driven by RSS' Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan ideology. Samik Bhattacharya cannot camouflage it," TMC leader Kunal Ghosh the 2021 polls, the TMC used Bengali sub-nationalism to counter the BJP's Hindutva narrative, branding it a party of outsiders."Bhattacharya's soft-spoken, scholarly image, fluency in Bengali literature and RSS background position him as a bridge between the ideological core and the broader Bengali electorate. However, reclaiming cultural legitimacy for a party often branded an 'outsider force' won't be easy," said critical issue Bhattacharya faces is infighting. Since the 2021 assembly poll defeat, factionalism between the BJP's old guards and defectors from the TMC has crippled organisational unity."He's not seen as belonging to any camp. That's why Delhi picked him. But to bring everyone together, Samik da will have to assert himself fast. Otherwise, he will be reduced to a rubber stamp," a senior state BJP leader his first address as state chief, Bhattacharya had acknowledged the rift and called for analyst Biswanath Chakraborty believes Bhattacharya's real test lies in energising the party base."The BJP in Bengal is demoralised. The primary task for him will be to bring all factions together and launch a mass movement against the TMC," Chakraborty told BJP's support has steadily eroded since its 77-seat performance in the 2021 polls. In the 2023 rural elections and recent bypolls, its organisational atrophy, especially in rural and tribal belts, has been stark."There's an urgent need to activate the booth-level structure. Workers feel disillusioned. The leaders need to spend time in districts to reconnect with cadres," said another senior BJP the road ahead is fraught with risks."The party has chosen calm over chaos. Now, it must ensure the calm doesn't turn into inertia," added a BJP insider. PTI
