CM Revanth Reddy Declares Congress as India's Soul, Accuses BJP of Constitutional Conspiracy
In a powerful address on Saturday, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy delivered a passionate defense of the Congress party, describing it as "the soul of the country" while launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party. Speaking to district Congress committee presidents from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Reddy positioned the Gandhi family as "the voice of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and minorities" in a direct challenge to the ruling party's narrative.
Allegations of Systematic Targeting
Revanth Reddy made serious allegations against the BJP, claiming the party is engaged in a multi-pronged conspiracy to politically eliminate the Congress party and specifically target the Gandhi family. "The BJP is conspiring not only to finish off the Congress and politically wipe out the Gandhi family, but also to change the Constitution and remove reservations," he asserted during his address at a training program organized by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.
The chief minister pointed to what he described as systematic harassment of Congress leaders, noting that "Members of the Gandhi family, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, are being harassed and insulted through cases foisted against them." He highlighted Rahul Gandhi's situation specifically, revealing that when the former Congress president was made to vacate his official residence, "he did not have a house of his own to go to and stayed with his mother."
Constitutional Concerns and Political Context
Revanth Reddy framed his criticism within broader constitutional concerns, accusing parties that emerged after Independence under the Constitution framed by Congress of now calling for a 'Congress-mukt Bharat' (Congress-free India). He made a fundamental assertion about the party's relationship to the nation: "The country and the Congress could not be separated."
The training program for DCC presidents was part of the 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' initiative of the All India Congress Committee, occurring at what Reddy described as a critical juncture. "The 10-day training programme was being held at a time when there was a conspiracy to change the Constitution and remove reservations," he told attendees, urging them to use the program to learn facts and expose BJP conspiracies at people's doorsteps.
Electoral Performance and Social Representation
Turning to electoral matters, Revanth Reddy presented data suggesting Congress momentum in recent elections. He noted that the party's vote share was 2% higher than the main opposition in the 2023 assembly elections, increasing to 4% within six months during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Most strikingly, he claimed that in recent municipal elections in Telangana, the Congress vote share was 12% higher than the party that came second.
The chief minister attributed this performance to "the hard work of party workers and the confidence reposed in the Congress government by the people." He also highlighted social representation achievements, revealing that 63% of Backward Classes were elected in municipal elections and 49.8% won sarpanch posts in panchayat elections. Reddy emphasized Telangana's pioneering status, noting it was "the first state in the country to conduct a caste survey and complete SC categorisation."
Leadership Guidance and Party Direction
Revanth Reddy offered specific guidance to DCC presidents, urging them to focus on people's issues and avoid lobbying for personal gains. "There was only a merit quota in the Congress," he stated clearly, setting expectations for ethical conduct within the party structure.
He called for strengthening the Congress in Andhra Pradesh to ensure it emerges as a formidable force in both Telugu states. In a notable endorsement, Reddy praised Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president YS Sharmila, noting she "could have secured posts using the name of her father, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, but was instead carving a niche for herself by working hard, fighting for the people's welfare and strengthening the party."
The chief minister concluded by asking new DCC chiefs to take Sharmila and Rahul Gandhi as examples of dedicated leadership. The training program also featured addresses by Pradesh Congress committee presidents of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, B Mahesh Kumar Goud and YS Sharmila, creating a united front message from the party leadership in the region.
