Hyderabad, 08/07/2023: PM Modi announced that he will be visiting the Southern State of Telangana today, which would also mark his first public appearance in the state following the recent changes announced within the BJP party.
His visit comes less than six months before the state election and as the BJP deals with a rare case of internal discord.
PM Modi’s visit to the state, his third this year, comes amid a concerted effort to improve the party’s image outside of Hyderabad, where it scored well in the recent municipal elections, particularly in light of the BJP’s recent failure in Karnataka.
G Kishan Reddy, recently appointed state BJP president and Union Minister, arrived in Warangal on Friday with senior party officials to prepare for PM Modi’s visit. This leadership transition saw Reddy replace Bandi Sanjay, mirroring the party’s broader strategic rethinking in the state.
The Prime Minister will kick off infrastructure projects totalling 6,100 crores, including laying the groundwork for a railway waggon manufacturing factory in Kazipet, which will cost more than 500 crores. This high-tech manufacturing facility is projected to increase local job opportunities and foster the development of ancillary units in the surrounding area.
This action comes amid criticism from the ruling Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which accuses the NDA administration of neglecting Telangana. BRS Working President K T Rama Rao has said that his party will boycott PM Modi’s visit, citing the centre’s claimed failure to fulfil promises made to Telangana, such as a 20,000 billion coach manufacturing that went to Gujarat.
Despite the increased opposition, state BJP leader Prakash Javadekar has remained optimistic, confirmed that the PM’s visit would rejuvenate party morale in the state, and made specific arrangements for his visit to Warangal. He also added that his visit sends a strong message of increased BJP interest in the states following its failure in neighbouring Karnataka.
