This NTR statue issue in Telangana has suddenly become full political fight now . And honestly,it is not surprising because elections are nearby and every party is trying to control emotional space also,not just vote numbers.
N . Ramchander Rao,the Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President,has directly attacked Congress after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy unveiled statue of N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) on May 28,2026 ,marking his birth anniversary . His main question is simple only: why now?
Rao basically accused Congress government of suddenly remembering NTR only because Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections are coming . He suggested this is not respect,but political calculation dressed up as tribute.
And his sharpest line was this: "Congress has made it a habit to stage political dramas for votes ahead of every election," . That is strong wording ah,and clearly BJP wants to frame this whole statue event as election stunt.
NTR was not small figure in Telugu politics . Former actor,founder of Telugu Desam Party (TDP),and Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh during 1980s and 1990s . So yes,any party using his name will naturally get attention,especially in Hyderabad and Telugu political circles.
Few things standing out from Rao's attack:
- He accused Congress of using NTR's legacy for electoral gain rather than genuine respect.
- He contrasted Congress's governance with BJP's development projects in Telangana.
- He challenged Congress on agricultural procurement issues affecting farmers .
But Rao did not stop with NTR statue only . He also went after Congress's internal politics,especially their decision to remove Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Karnataka . According to him,this weakens Congress's claim that it supports OBC communities.
He also pointed out that among four Chief Ministers Congress currently has,none belong to OBC category . That line is clearly aimed at questioning Congress on representation,not just governance .
And then BJP's usual development pitch came in . Rao said Narendra Modi-led Central government has allocated nearly ₹13 lakh crore for Telangana's development over past 12 years . He mentioned revival of Ramagundam Fertiliser Plant and expansion of Hyderabad Metro as examples of BJP's work for state.
Tbh,this whole exchange shows how GHMC election atmosphere is already heating up before campaign even fully peaks . Congress is trying to use symbolism,Rao is calling it drama,BJP is pushing development claims,and Bharat Rashtra Samithi is also being placed in same basket by him as party people are getting tired of.
And somewhere between NTR's legacy,OBC representation,farmer issues and Hyderabad projects,real question remains hanging: are voters actually moved by these symbolic fights,or are they watching silently and waiting for something more solid…
