Union Health Minister and BJP national president J. P. Nadda on Thursday, 9 July 2026, addressed the Intellectual Meeting organised by the Forum for Nationalist Thinkers in Hyderabad, Telangana, using the platform to contrast a decade of central governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with what he described as a corruption-ridden state administration under the Congress.

Context

Speaking to an audience of nationalist intellectuals and thinkers, Nadda argued that India has 'set new benchmarks in politics, good governance, development, and global leadership' over the past 12 years under Modi's leadership. He credited the period with redefining democracy by replacing what he called 'the politics of dynastic rule, appeasement, and corruption with accountability, development, and public service.'

The address covered a broad sweep of central government initiatives — connectivity, Digital India, healthcare, welfare for the poor, farmer empowerment, women's dignity, defence, the economy, and global diplomacy — framing them as having given India 'a new identity on the world stage.'

Policy Backdrop

The BJP-led central government assumed office in May 2014 and has since launched flagship programmes including the Digital India initiative in 2015 and the Ayushman Bharat health coverage scheme. Direct benefit transfers and expanded welfare delivery have been central planks of the party's governance narrative over successive terms.

The choice of Hyderabad as the venue is politically significant. Telangana has been governed by the Indian National Congress under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy since December 2023, following the party's victory in the state assembly elections that year. The BJP has positioned itself as the principal opposition in the state.

Attacks on Telangana Government

Nadda trained sharp criticism on the Revanth Reddy administration, alleging that it has become an 'ATM' for the Congress party, with 'public money serving political interests instead of development.' He specifically cited the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project and the Double Bedroom Housing Scheme as examples of 'corruption and broken promises.'

The Kaleshwaram project is a large-scale irrigation initiative in Telangana that has faced scrutiny over cost overruns and structural concerns since the change of government in 2023. The Double Bedroom Housing Scheme, launched to provide affordable housing to the poor, has also been a subject of political dispute regarding delivery and expenditure. The current status of any formal investigations into either scheme remains a matter of ongoing legislative and administrative processes.

Closing his address, Nadda drew a contrast with the BJP's stated commitment: 'Our commitment is to politics that serves the people, not political interests. Together, let us build a Telangana that is prosperous, progressive, and empowered.'

What's Next

The remarks signal that the BJP intends to sustain pressure on the Telangana government over governance and project delivery well ahead of the next state assembly cycle. Proceedings in the Telangana legislative assembly on irrigation and housing scheme audits, as well as the rollout of centrally sponsored health and housing programmes in the state, will be closely watched. The party's approach mirrors its earlier playbook in Congress-ruled states such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where central leaders highlighted alleged misuse of public funds in irrigation and housing projects.