MP Crosses The Line, Big blow for BJP in Telugu States?

Political leaders should bear in mind that insensitive remarks could do irreparable damage to not just their personal image but also to the party which they are representing. There have been numerous instances when unnecessary statements from politicians created headache for political parties. Now, the Bharatiya Janata Party faces a similar situation in Telugu states after an MP crossed the line during his speech in the Parliament.

During the ongoing special Parliament session which has already drawn the attention of the entire country over the passage of contentious bills by the Centre, Bengaluru BJP MP Tejaswi Surya triggered a political slugfest by making foolish and irrelevant comments on the bifurcation of Telugu states that happened more than a decade ago when the UPA government led by Congress Party was in the power.

Surya made a shocking comparison when he drew an analogy between the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with that of the historical “Partition” of India and Pakistan. In his speech, he tried to corner the Congress party and its allies by portraying that the bifurcation was handled in an unfair and unjustified manner. These needless remarks which are out of the context in the current session triggered a political storm back in Telangana.

Given that the statehood of Telangana has got a lot of emotional significance behind it and was achieved after a prolonged battle, the comparison of separation with that of India and Pakistan drew sharp reactions from several leaders across party lines in Telangana. They are now demanding severe action against Tejaswi Surya for hurting the sentiments of Telangana people and also belittling the sacrifices of thousands of protesters who fought for the statehood.

Not just political leaders, even the general public also reacting sharply on these foolish comments made in the Parliament. These unwarranted statements have now put the BJP and its supporters in a spot of bother because of the rising public outrage due to its insensitivity. The inappropriate comments are now a topic of discussion in both Telugu states as well.

Due to the strong criticism from all quarters, the BJP high command in Telangana immediately tried to defend the comments by projecting that the MP was only pointing the hasty process with which the then government bifurcated the Telugu states but not intended to criticise the separation and compare it with the painful partition. But, the damage has already been done by then as the speech of Tejaswi Surya went viral all over and started receiving huge backlash.

The BJP has been trying to build its image in Telugu states from decades and gained considerable clout in the last few years. In Telangana, the party has made strong inroads and emerged as a strong alternative force despite the strong base of BRS and Congress parties. In Andhra also, it is slowly and steadily improving its voting percentage through alliance with TDP and JSP.

The Delimitation bill has already put the BJP in the spotlight of the entire South India over the fears that such an excercise would undermine the representation and voice of South States in the Parliament. Now, these controversial comments by the MP have come as a big blow to the party’s growing image.