KT Rama Rao, the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has voiced strong objections to the Telangana government’s decision to install a statue of Rajiv Gandhi in front of the Secretariat. He promised that the BRS would remove the statue once they are back in power.
Rao criticized the Congress party for what he described as an “insult” to Telangana, highlighting his party’s proposal to place a statue of Telangana Talli instead. The BRS had previously envisioned this statue as part of the celebrations marking the tenth anniversary of Telangana’s formation.
According to Rao, the decision to place Rajiv Gandhi’s statue in a location initially reserved for Telangana Talli undermines the significance of Telangana’s own symbol. He emphasized that the Congress party’s actions are seen as disrespectful to Telangana’s identity and its local heroes.
The controversy around the installation of Rajiv Gandhi’s statue comes amid ongoing political tension between the BRS and the Congress party. Rao reiterated that the BRS had made plans to honour Telangana Talli in front of the Secretariat, but the Congress-led government is now seeking to replace this with Rajiv Gandhi’s statue, which Rao sees as an affront.
The BRS government’s original plan included creating an island in front of the Secretariat for the statue of Telangana Talli, which Rao argues represents the state’s own legacy and pride. In contrast, he perceives the Congress party’s decision as an attempt to diminish Telangana’s cultural and political identity by installing a statue of a figure who, in his view, has no particular significance to the state.
Rao also took issue with the recent renaming of a park that was previously dedicated to former Chief Minister Anjaiah, now known as Lumbini Park. He claimed that the government’s efforts to place Rajiv Gandhi’s statue near this renamed park further illustrate their disregard for local history and heroes.
In his critique, Rao referenced various projects and facilities named after Rajiv Gandhi, including Rajiv Arogyasri, Rajiv Gandhi Triple IT, and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. He pointed out that the BRS has never sought to alter these names and argued that the current administration’s actions reflect a lack of respect for Telangana’s legacy.
Rao stated that if the BRS were to return to power, they would not only remove the Rajiv Gandhi statue but also rename the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. He suggested that the airport should instead be named after a prominent figure from Telangana, aligning with the party’s vision of celebrating local heroes.
In a personal note, Rao expressed sadness over his sister Kavitha’s absence during the Raksha Bandhan festival. Despite this, he conveyed optimism that justice would prevail in her legal matters and extended Rakhi greetings to all brothers and sisters in Telangana.
KT Rama Rao’s strong opposition to the installation of Rajiv Gandhi’s statue reflects broader tensions between the BRS and Congress. His commitment to removing the statue and renaming significant landmarks underscores the ongoing political and cultural conflicts within the state of Telangana. As the debate continues, the BRS’s stance highlights the party’s dedication to promoting Telangana’s local heritage and identity.