Telangana

In Tamil Nadu, campaigning intensifies for the upcoming by-elections in Dharapuram and Madurantakam, marking a high-stakes electoral test for Chief Minister Vijay's TVK as candidate Satyabhama faces criticism following her shift from the AIADMK. Political analyst Akshat Ram and TVK spokesperson Sathiyakumar debate allegations of political horse-trading and local anti-incumbency challenges facing the party. Meanwhile, a major controversy erupts in Telangana after Chief Minister Revanth Reddy questioned the BJP's frequent invocation of Jai Shri Ram over Har Har Mahadev. BJP leader Madhavi Latha hits back on the broadcast, accusing the Congress leader of attempting to divide Hindu traditions and ignoring state development issues. Additionally, at the India Today South Conclave in Kochi, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh spoke exclusively with Rajdeep Sardesai, defending the Election Commission of India amidst opposition demands targeting the Chief Election Commissioner over the Special Intensive Revision process.

Speaking at an India Today event in Kochi, Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president KT Rama Rao addressed key national and state political issues. Speaking on scrutiny surrounding the Election Commission, he stated, "The EC seems to be broken," and urged the Supreme Court to initiate an independent judicial probe. On delimitation, he said the southern states must retain their 24 percent representation in Parliament before BRS considers supporting the measure. Rejecting any possibility of an alliance with the BJP, he emphasized that BRS remains ideologically opposed to both national parties. Discussing youth protests and movements led by Gen Z, he welcomed political accountability. He also ruled himself out as the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming assembly elections, reiterating that party founder K. Chandrashekar Rao remains the face of BRS. Highlighting his party's track record, Rama Rao pointed to Telangana's growth in GSDP, per capita income, and IT jobs, defending its transition into a key economic engine.

At the India Today Conclave South 2026, BRS working president KT Rama Rao ruled out an alliance with the BJP, backed KCR as the party’s chief ministerial face and promised a comeback.

Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu attacked the Election Commission over the SIR exercise, alleging voter deletions to benefit the BJP. He backed ballot voting, demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down.

A Bharatiya Janata Party leader addressed a press conference, criticising the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The spokesperson accused the opposition party of attempting to divide Hindu society along regional lines, specifically contrasting northern and southern India, as well as dividing communities by caste, language, and gender. He cited statements regarding revenue contributions and Aryan-Dravidian theories, while also recalling remarks concerning DNA and regional identity. Addressing arguments regarding Hindu deities, the speaker contested assertions contrasting Lord Shiva and Lord Ram by citing classical scriptures, including the Shiva Purana and Ramcharitmanas, arguing that both traditions are deeply interconnected. Furthermore, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's spiritual visits, naming the lunar south pole landing site as Shiv Shakti Point, and contrasted this with Rahul Gandhi's political stance, alleging that the Congress party views religious traditions through an external, divisive lens.

A political controversy has erupted following remarks by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy comparing Bhagwan Ram and Bhagwan Shiv. Speaking in New Delhi, the Chief Minister drew contrasts between North and South India, claiming that people in the south are devotees of Shiva while those in the north worship Lord Ram. He further asserted that Shiva is the god of the poor, whereas Ram is the god of the rich, and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of appropriating Lord Ram while failing to chant Har Har Mahadev. The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly rejected the claims, accusing him of employing divide-and-rule tactics and creating geographic and political divides among Hindus. Leaders pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's frequent visits to prominent Shiva shrines, including Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakal in Ujjain, Somnath, Kedarnath, and Pashupatinath, along with major corridor redevelopments, arguing that both deities are revered across India.

The proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies triggered a sharp debate at the India Today Conclave South, with Congress leader Jabi Mather warning that a population-based exercise could reduce the political voice of southern states. BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu defended delimitation as a constitutional process, with Wadiyar accusing Congress of "changing the goalposts". BRS leader KR Suresh Reddy said his party was not opposed to delimitation but wanted the South’s existing share of representation protected. "We are okay with delimitation, if you maintain the existing share," he said, while calling for a mechanism to ensure proportional representation and a fair share of central resources. The debate also expanded to federalism and fiscal devolution, with Mather arguing that southern states should not be "punished" for successfully implementing population-control measures. While Mather alleged that federalism was being compromised, Devarayalu said Centre-state relations should be based on partnership and urged states to use forums such as the Finance Commission and GST Council to raise their concerns.

A Congress Working Committee meeting brought forth serious allegations regarding the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, alleging widespread manipulation of voting machines and voter list fraud. The Congress leadership claimed the parliamentary elections were completely compromised due to actions linked to the Chief Election Commissioner, arguing that laws passed in Parliament are consequently illegal because MPs were fraudulently elected. The working committee resolution demanded the resignations of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Chief Election Commissioner, urging party workers to take their protest to the streets alongside opposition allies. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party issued a rebuttal citing past Congress statements regarding duplicate voter entries in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to justify the electoral roll revisions. Further scrutiny was raised by the opposition over deletion exercises in Delhi, claiming eligible residents had their names struck off the electoral rolls despite official guidelines assuring voting rights.

The Bharatiya Janata Party mounted a counterattack against Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over their repeated allegations of vote chori. The BJP labelled the narrative a planned conspiracy aimed at deflecting attention from the opposition party's repeated electoral defeats. Following discussions after a Congress Working Committee meeting, Congress and key opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision process, alleging that voter deletions were being conducted disproportionately across states. The opposition highlighted issues such as demolished homes in Delhi where voter registrations were reportedly excluded. Countering the charges, the BJP pointed out past instances, such as the 2018 claims in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, arguing that the Congress routinely questions the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines upon losing elections, while ignoring the same processes whenever victorious.

This bulletin covers major developments across southern India. In Tamil Nadu, the state government launched the Thai Maman Thanga Modiram Thittam in Madurai, rolling out a pre-poll promise to provide a one-gram gold ring to newborn infants born in government hospitals to permanent residents registered on the PICME portal. The broadcast also reviews details from an accessed four-page closure report in the Veeramani POCSO case, highlighting questions raised regarding police investigation timelines and judicial refusal to accept the closure filing amid political sparring between TVK and DMK. In Karnataka, the political war of words intensified between the BJP and Congress, alongside updates on an upcoming all-party meeting in Delhi called to address state issues. Furthermore, an SIT arrested prime accused Prashant Duraiswami at Bengaluru Airport upon his return from Azerbaijan in connection with an inter-state fake drug distribution racket. Lastly, Telangana Congress staged statewide protests in Hyderabad demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

A major political controversy has emerged following remarks made by the Telangana Chief Minister regarding a confrontation between two political lineages in India. Speaking at a facilitation event in Kerala, the Chief Minister remarked on the contrast between the Sangh Parivaar and the Gandhi Parivaar, asserting that while one attempts division across caste, religion, region, and language, the other has sacrificed extensively for the nation. The statements triggered sharp responses from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, who defended the Sangh Parivaar as an embodiment of discipline, sewa, and nationalism, while accusing the Gandhi Parivaar of dynastic rule, corruption, and vote bank politics. The exchange intensifies existing frictions between both sides, coming against the backdrop of an ongoing national row surrounding the Chief Election Commissioner.

A nursing student, identified as Harini, was found dead under suspicious circumstances near her residence in Telangana. The student had returned to her native village during college holidays. According to information, her mother, Rajeshwari, left the house to visit a relative, leaving the daughter alone at home. Upon returning, the mother could not find her daughter. A search subsequently led to the discovery of her body lying behind a bathroom on the house premises, located between neighbouring structures. Injuries were noticed on her body, prompting police intervention and raising suspicions regarding the circumstances surrounding the death.

A major political row has erupted in Telangana after a woman advertising entrepreneur, K Shobha Reddy, alleged that an individual claiming to be a close associate of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy asked her to visit a guest house for an official meeting, which made her uncomfortable. In a recorded message and social media posts, the entrepreneur stated that she had been struggling to secure lawful advertising business opportunities without resorting to corruption or seeking unfair favours. Demanding dignity and equal opportunities, she urged Chief Minister Reddy to grant her an audience. The allegations triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi challenged the Chief Minister to address her grievances, while the Bharatiya Janata Party demanded a transparent inquiry and strict legal action against anyone found exploiting women entrepreneurs.

A major political controversy has broken out in Telangana after a woman advertising entrepreneur, K. Shobha Reddy, alleged that an individual claiming to be a close aide of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy invited her to a guest house for a meeting regarding business opportunities. The entrepreneur stated that she faced multiple hurdles without influence or funds and felt extremely uncomfortable during the interaction. Expressing fear of harassment after sharing her ordeal, she sought an appointment with the Chief Minister and stated she possessed evidence to substantiate her claims. The allegations triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties, including the BRS and BJP, who demanded a transparent investigation and strict legal action against the individual involved. BJP leader N. Ramchandra Rao termed the matter a serious issue concerning the security and safety of women entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the state government is yet to provide official clarity on the identity of the person involved.

A dispute over ten rupees in fare change turned fatal in Hyderabad after a forty-two-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, Mohammed Mukarram, was brutally assaulted by passengers. According to preliminary reports, an altercation broke out after the driver allegedly lacked change for a two-hundred-rupee note. The suspects later summoned him back to a location in Vattepally, where they severely attacked him in front of his wife and daughter. The victim succumbed to his injuries after being shifted to a hospital. Police have registered a case and identified two key suspects, Azeem and Shoaib, as investigations continue.

A political controversy has broken out in Telangana after Hyderabad-based advertising entrepreneur K. Shobha Reddy levelled serious allegations against a close aide of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The businesswoman claimed that she was invited to a guest house for an official discussion regarding outdoor advertising opportunities, where she was made to feel deeply uncomfortable during the meeting. Clarifying that she holds no affiliation with any political party, she emphasised that she was merely seeking fair business opportunities rather than special favours. The allegations have triggered strong political reactions, with both the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Bharatiya Janata Party demanding an immediate and transparent investigation into the matter. Speaking on the issue, BJP leader N. Ramchandra Rao termed it a serious case of alleged quid pro quo and exploitation of women entrepreneurs, urging stringent legal action. An FIR has reportedly been filed at the Banjara Hills Police Station as opposition parties mount pressure on the state government.

A neurosurgeon died in a fatal road accident after his Volvo car crashed into a median and caught fire on the Suryapet-Khammam Highway in Telangana. The deceased doctor was trapped inside the vehicle after the collision and died in the blaze. CCTV visuals showed the car moving towards the left and ramming into the divider near Pillalamarri before being engulfed in flames. Passersby alerted the police, and firefighters later brought the blaze under control. A police investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances and cause of the crash.

A political controversy has erupted in Telangana after entrepreneur K. Shobha Reddy alleged that an individual claiming to be a close associate of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy asked her to visit a guest house to discuss business opportunities in the outdoor advertising sector. Reddy stated that the conversation was uncomfortable and questioned the transparency of official processes, clarifying that she seeks equal opportunity and dignity rather than special favours. The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi has seized upon the claims to target Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the state government, demanding an investigation into the intermediary's identity and control of the premises.

Chief Ministers from non-BJP and opposition-ruled states, including Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, did not attend the gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS leaders despite receiving invitations. Although there were indications until around 6:00 PM that some leaders might attend the 7:30 PM event, none showed up. While Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states attended, the absence of opposition leaders emerges as a political flashpoint alongside a controversy over the all-vegetarian menu.

A major political debate has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over the recital of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram. National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stood for the full national song at an event in Srinagar following parliamentary approval.