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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Resigned from party, not ideology': Firebrand BJP MLA T Raja Singh quits after 3 terms over Ramchander Rao's elevation as state chief; slams backroom ‘coterie'
Telangana BJP faces internal turmoil as Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh resigns, protesting N Ramchander Rao's appointment as state unit chief. Singh, a Hindutva leader, alleges he was prevented from contesting for the president's post. HYDERABAD: In a dramatic escalation of internal dissent within the Telangana BJP, Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh submitted his resignation to the party on Monday, protesting the appointment of N Ramchander Rao as new state unit chief. He submitted a strongly worded two-page letter, addressed to outgoing president and Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy. Considered the party's Hindutva posterboy in Telangana, Singh was never afraid to court controversy. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He was arrested by the police and even suspended by the party in 2022 for his comments on Prophet Mohammed to protest against stand-up comic Munawar Faruqui's show in Hyderabad. Though he did not submit a formal resignation to the speaker of the assembly, Singh urged Kishan Reddy to notify speaker G Prasad Kumar about his resignation. "I was threatened by the party not to file my nomination for the state chief post," he told reporters earlier in the day. "I have made enemies out of terrorists for the party's sake, but now the time has come to step away," he claimed. Singh arrived at the BJP state office with his supporters, intending to file his nomination for the party president's post, only to be met with pressure and resistance, according to his own account. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo His resignation was later handed over at the office, despite last-minute efforts by Union minister of state for home and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay to placate him. Sources said Singh's letter will be forwarded to BJP national president JP Nadda. Frustrated with choice of those handed leadership: Raja Singh Though Raja Singh 's exit seemed sudden, insiders suggest it was long brewing. Since being elected for a third consecutive term in 2023, Singh had distanced himself from the party's core activities and grown increasingly vocal in his criticism of senior leaders, especially Kishan Reddy, whom he accused of being soft on the ruling Congress in Telangana. He did not hold back in his resignation letter either. 'This decision has come as a shock and disappointment, not just to me, but to lakhs of karyakartas, leaders, and voters who have stood by the BJP through every high and low,' Singh wrote. Singh also warned that the leadership change could undo years of grassroots mobilisation and 'push the party into avoidable setbacks.' He said, 'We had the best opportunity in years to bring the BJP to power in Telangana. But that hope is now giving way to frustration and disillusionment—not because of the people, but because of those being handed the reins of leadership.' His most pointed criticism was aimed at what he called a 'coterie of leaders running the show from behind the curtain,' who he alleged have 'misled the central leadership' for personal gain. 'Many capable MLAs, MPs, and senior leaders have worked tirelessly for the party's growth, only to be sidelined in crucial decisions,' he said in his letter. Even as the BJP formally transitions to new leadership, party insiders say it may take time before the implications of Singh's resignation and related concerns are formally addressed. As per anti-defection laws, if the party president forwards an MLA's resignation to the speaker, the speaker is empowered to take swift action and may declare the seat vacant, effectively ending the legislator's tenure in the assembly. Singh ended his letter by affirming his unwavering commitment to Hindutva. 'I may have resigned from the party, but not from the ideology,' he declared.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Resigned from party, not ideology: Telangana minister T Raja Singh quits after 3 terms; slams backroom ‘coterie'
Telangana BJP faces internal turmoil as Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh resigns, protesting N Ramchander Rao's appointment as state unit chief. Singh, a Hindutva leader, alleges he was prevented from contesting for the president's post. HYDERABAD: In a dramatic escalation of internal dissent within the Telangana BJP, Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh submitted his resignation to the party on Monday, protesting the appointment of N Ramchander Rao as new state unit chief. He submitted a strongly worded two-page letter, addressed to outgoing president and Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy. Considered the party's Hindutva posterboy in Telangana, Singh was never afraid to court controversy. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He was arrested by the police and even suspended by the party in 2022 for his comments on Prophet Mohammed to protest against stand-up comic Munawar Faruqui's show in Hyderabad. Though he did not submit a formal resignation to the speaker of the assembly, Singh urged Kishan Reddy to notify speaker G Prasad Kumar about his resignation. "I was threatened by the party not to file my nomination for the state chief post," he told reporters earlier in the day. "I have made enemies out of terrorists for the party's sake, but now the time has come to step away," he claimed. Singh arrived at the BJP state office with his supporters, intending to file his nomination for the party president's post, only to be met with pressure and resistance, according to his own account. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 BHKs starts at ₹ 72.6 Lakh | No Floor rise | Zero PLC Mahindra Happinest Tathawade Get Quote Undo His resignation was later handed over at the office, despite last-minute efforts by Union minister of state for home and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay to placate him. Sources said Singh's letter will be forwarded to BJP national president JP Nadda. Frustrated with choice of those handed leadership: Raja Singh Though Raja Singh 's exit seemed sudden, insiders suggest it was long brewing. Since being elected for a third consecutive term in 2023, Singh had distanced himself from the party's core activities and grown increasingly vocal in his criticism of senior leaders, especially Kishan Reddy, whom he accused of being soft on the ruling Congress in Telangana. He did not hold back in his resignation letter either. 'This decision has come as a shock and disappointment, not just to me, but to lakhs of karyakartas, leaders, and voters who have stood by the BJP through every high and low,' Singh wrote. Singh also warned that the leadership change could undo years of grassroots mobilisation and 'push the party into avoidable setbacks.' He said, 'We had the best opportunity in years to bring the BJP to power in Telangana. But that hope is now giving way to frustration and disillusionment—not because of the people, but because of those being handed the reins of leadership.' His most pointed criticism was aimed at what he called a 'coterie of leaders running the show from behind the curtain,' who he alleged have 'misled the central leadership' for personal gain. 'Many capable MLAs, MPs, and senior leaders have worked tirelessly for the party's growth, only to be sidelined in crucial decisions,' he said in his letter. Even as the BJP formally transitions to new leadership, party insiders say it may take time before the implications of Singh's resignation and related concerns are formally addressed. As per anti-defection laws, if the party president forwards an MLA's resignation to the speaker, the speaker is empowered to take swift action and may declare the seat vacant, effectively ending the legislator's tenure in the assembly. Singh ended his letter by affirming his unwavering commitment to Hindutva. 'I may have resigned from the party, but not from the ideology,' he declared.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Kept out' of state chief race, Raja quits BJP
Hyderabad: In a dramatic escalation of internal dissent within Telangana BJP , MLA T Raja Singh resigned Monday against N Ramchander Rao's appointment as state unit chief, and alleged he was "threatened by the party" not to file his nomination for the post. Singh, considered the party's Hindutva posterboy in the Congress-goverened state, submitted a strongly worded two-page resignation to outgoing state unit chief and Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy. "This decision (Rao's appointment) has come as a shock and disappointment, not just to me, but to lakhs of workers, leaders, and voters who have stood by BJP through high and low," Singh wrote, adding. "I may have resigned from the party, but not from the ideology. "
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Cracks in Telangana BJP as Raja Singh quits over Ramchander Rao elevation to party chief
After a stormy election process, the BJP is set to name a new Telangana party chief. Though N Ramchander Rao was the only one to file a nomination for the president's post, firebrand BJP MLA T Raja Singh caused a stir when he attempted to file his nomination at the eleventh hour but was unable to garner enough support for his candidacy. A veteran party leader, the 66-year-old Rao has been associated with the BJP for over four decades, including as an MLC from 2015 to 2021. Several BJP leaders told The Indian Express that Rao, as a Brahmin leader, can be a 'unifying factor' for the party that has seen several groups emerging from within. Rao started his political career in the RSS-affiliated student outfit ABVP in 1977. He was a state executive member of the ABVP for five years. During the last few years of his tenure with the ABVP, Rao also worked with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP's youth wing, from 1980 to 1982. A leader who completed his Master's degree from Hyderabad's Osmania University, Rao later obtained a legal degree from the same institute. After this, he served in the legal cell of the BJP for close to a decade. He worked as the general secretary of BJP in undivided Andhra Pradesh from 2009 to 2012. He was the state BJP spokesperson for several years, even after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into two states in 2014. 'He was known chiefly for his interaction with the public and his keen sense of commitment towards the party,' a BJP leader said. Rao also served as a lawyer in metropolitan courts in Hyderabad and High Court of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. 'He has been practicing in the Supreme Court in recent times and is a time-tested lawyer,' a BJP source said. Rao's candidature, however, came as a surprise because former Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and Lok Sabha MP Eatela Rajender, who had joined the BJP in 2021, was till Sunday considered to be the front-runner for the post. There were other aspirants in the mix, including Union minister and former state party chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Aravind. 'Rao's selection will, to a great extent, quell the dissatisfaction within the party,' a BJP leader said. Rao himself told the press on Monday that he does not think factionalism is a factor within the BJP. 'There are people who might have differences but all of them are collectively supporting the ideological base of the BJP,' he said. However, at around 4.30pm on Monday, half-an-hour after the deadline for nominations, controversial BJP MLA T Raja Singh appeared before the media with his nomination papers. 'As my nomination, which did not get the support of (at least 10) councillors who were threatened with dire consequences, did not get accepted, I have decided to quit the party,' he said. He said that he had taken several personal risks for the party. 'My family and myself are under the scrutiny of terrorists. I have taken that kind of risk for the party. But the BJP has leaders who do not want the party to come to power in Telangana,' Singh said. In his resignation letter which was submitted to outgoing BJP state president and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, Singh wrote that Rao's impending appointment came as a 'shock and disappointment'. He also wrote that his resignation reflects the 'pain and frustration of lakhs of BJP karyakartas and supporters who feel sidelined and unheard'. He added that he considers himself to be still attached to Hindutva ideology and he will continue to serve the people of his Goshamahal constituency. The BJP's only Hyderabad MLA, Singh is no stranger to controversy. Known among the supporters in his constituency Goshamahal as 'Tiger Raja' and 'Hindu Hriday Samrat', the 48-year-old MLA has frequently faced action over his alleged hate speeches. In 2022, he had been suspended from the BJP over his alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammed. He was, however, reinstated a year later ahead of the 2023 Telangana Assembly polls, in which he won the Goshamahal seat for a third consecutive time.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Shocked... I've Been A Dedicated Worker': BJP MLA Quits After Ramachander Picked As Telangana Chief
Last Updated: Raja Singh said there are many capable senior leaders who have tirelessly worked for the growth of the BJP and have the strength, credibility, and connect to lead the party forward Controversial BJP MLA T Raja Singh on Monday resigned from the party, expressing 'disappointment" over Ramchander Rao being appointed as the Telangana BJP chief. Questioning the choice of state president, Singh said such a choice raises serious doubts about the direction and not only undermines the sacrifices of grassroots workers but risks pushing the party into avoidable setbacks. In a letter to outgoing Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy, the BJP MLA also said there are many capable senior leaders, MLAs, and MPs within the state who have tirelessly worked for the growth of the BJP and who have the strength, credibility, and connect to lead the party forward. 'Unfortunately, it appears that some individuals, driven by personal interests, have misled the central leadership and taken decisions by running the show from behind the curtain," he stated. 'I have been a dedicated Karyakarta, elected three times in a row with the blessings of the people and support of the party. But today. I find it difficult to stay silent or pretend that all is well, This is not about personal ambition, this letter reflects the pain and frustration of lakhs of loyal BJP Karyakartas and supporters who feel sidelined and unheard. We had the best opportunity in years to bring the BJP to power in Telangana. But that hope is slowly being replaced by disappointment and frustration, not because of the people, but because of the leadership being placed at the helm," he said. Though he may be stepping away from the party, the Goshamahal legislator said he remains fully committed to the ideology of Hindutva and the service of Hindu Dharma and the people of his constituency. First Published: June 30, 2025, 18:12 IST
