We are open to take in leaders from other parties along with youth & women: Ramchander Rao

Sixty-six-year-old new Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao, who has risen from the grassroots level student politics with the ABVP (Akhil Bahartiya Vidyarthi Parishad), has put strengthening of the party from the booth-level in all regions with induction of youth and women as one of his top priorities in this exclusive interview with The Hindu‘s v. geetanath.

The party has to meet up to the expectations of the people as there is lot of hope from us. We have to grow uniformly from north to south and central Telangana as well as the capital region from the booth level by strengthening the organisational structure. Our voting percentage has been increasing from every election, including the recent MLC polls. So that means people are ready to accept us. Immediate challenge will be the local body polls and Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency by-poll.

We have already got booth committees in 26,000 out of 30,000 polling booths. I am calling upon youth and women to join our party. Youth voters have increased in Telangana and there is restlessness among them because of the government policies. Prime Minister Modii’s quota for women — 50% in local bodies and 33% in legislative bodies, will open lot of opportunities. I am also inviting politicians from other parties to join us for building a political alternative and for development. Those who believe in Mr. Modi’s leadership and our ideology will definitely be welcomed into our party.

We are emerging as the alternative party to the ruling Congress. BRS is confined to papers and Twitter (‘X’). It could not even field candidates for the MLC polls. It is not strong anymore and there is no cadre. There are only a few leaders who have formed a coterie.

Our strength is our leadership beginning from Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and national president J.P. Nadda. We have a dedicated cadre at the booth level and people nowadays are attracted to the nationalist ideology. We have seen our party strength increasing in the traditional naxal and left bastions of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Khammam and Warangal. It could translate into victories for us.

I agree our voter base has shifted to BRS due to various reasons, including a sense of fear about being harassed by a section of people, and the minorities too had voted en bloc in the last Assembly elections. But, now our ‘natural’ supporters, especially those from other States, are coming back to us. We have assured them that nothing will happen to their businesses or properties. The political developments in the neighbouring State too will help us.

It is a total failure. People are disappointed and already anti-incumbency has set in. It is mainly because of the negative policies with demolitions and evictions, not fulfilling promises. Farmers are agitated as they are not getting ‘Rythu Bharosa’ on time. There are administrative lapses and corruption has increased as per people’s perception. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy going to Delhi every time is also not a good sign.

No. People now want to start another agitation for development of Telangana. A financial surplus State has become debt ridden. There is disillusionment about jobs, water issues and children’s education. Education has suffered a lot under the BRS rule and the Congress government is no different. The abusive language used in political discourse had also caused a lot of disgust among the people.

We are going to make it clear that the BJP is not against any religion or sect. We believe in development for all. We are only against those disturbing peace, Indian ethos and culture.

Religion-based quota is not good for the country. The Central government has introduced 10% EWS (economically weaker sections) quota in which Muslims can also benefit. How can they get a double benefit? Credit goes to the Congress government for dividing Muslims on a caste basis. Muslims have always claimed that unlike Hindus there is no caste system in their religion.

We are not going to tolerate indiscipline in the party. No one is above the party. If anyone damages the party by their behaviour, the Central leadership will take action against them. I have made it clear that mine will be a collective leadership. I will not take any unilateral decision but will involve all the leaders, including elected representatives.