Bandi Sanjay Kumar Denies BJP-BRS Alliance Rumors

Senior BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar dismissed speculation about BJP-BRS talks. He called BRS outdated and criticized the state's Congress government. Amidst Telangana's local body elections and controversies around waqf lands, he addressed key political dynamics, governance concerns, and potential leadership changes in the BJP's state unit.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Saturday dismissed ongoing speculation about potential talks between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) regarding a coalition.

Sanjay Kumar labeled BRS as an outdated party during an informal chat with the press, countering rumors sparked by recent events, including the arrest of BRS MLC K Kavitha over alleged irregularities in the scrapped Delhi excise policy and the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections. The BRS also lost power in the Telangana Legislative Assembly elections last year.

In response to these speculative reports, BRS Working President K T Rama Rao has asserted that legal action will be taken against those distributing false information about a possible 'merger' of BRS. Meanwhile, Sanjay Kumar emphasized that the upcoming local body elections in Telangana would primarily involve a contest between the ruling Congress party and the BJP. He also claimed that the state government's failure to provide funds to panchayats has left rural local bodies reliant on central funds.

Addressing AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi's objection to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Sanjay Kumar questioned the protection and distribution of waqf lands by MIM. He noted that allegations of waqf land encroachments would be clarified if the amendment bill is enacted. Furthermore, Sanjay Kumar mentioned that the BJP's central leadership would decide on appointing a new state unit president, amid speculation that incumbent G Kishan Reddy might be replaced due to his significant responsibilities as a Union Minister.