Why Did Telangana BJP MLA Resign After Ramchander Rao Was Named State Chief?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- T. Raja Singh resigned from BJP due to the appointment of N. Ramchander Rao as state president.
- Rao is a High Court advocate and former MLC.
- The BJP aims to strengthen its position in Telangana.
- Concerns about internal party unity have emerged following Singh's resignation.
- Raja Singh remains committed to Hindutva ideology.
Hyderabad, June 30 (NationPress) The recent decision by BJP leaders to appoint N. Ramchander Rao as the head of the party's Telangana branch has caused unrest within the saffron party. MLA T. Raja Singh announced his resignation from the party on Monday.
Singh, known for his Hindutva stance and being a three-time MLA, stated he submitted his resignation to state party president and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy since he was denied the opportunity to nominate himself for the position.
Ramchander Rao, an advocate of the High Court and a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), filed his nomination with the support of BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal, Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and other prominent figures.
“With the blessings of party members, I reiterate my dedication to serving the people of Telangana,” declared Rao upon submitting his nomination papers to Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje, who acted as the returning officer.
No other nominations were submitted following the BJP Central leadership's announcement of their chosen candidate. The formal election of Rao as the state BJP chief is expected to be disclosed on July 1.
Dissatisfied with the way the new state president was selected, Raja Singh opted to resign from the primary membership.
The three-time MLA, often seen as a controversial figure, expressed his desire to contest for the president's role and was eager to submit his nomination.
Singh remarked that the media’s reports regarding Rao's impending appointment as state BJP president were both shocking and disheartening not only to him but to countless party supporters.
"At a moment when the BJP is on the verge of establishing its first government in Telangana, such a decision raises significant questions about our trajectory," he stated.
The MLA representing the Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad pointed out that numerous qualified senior leaders, MLAs, and MPs have diligently worked for the BJP's advancement and possess the strength, credibility, and connection necessary to guide the party forward.
“Regrettably, it seems that individuals, motivated by personal agendas, have misled the central leadership and made decisions from behind the scenes. This undermines the efforts of grassroots workers and risks leading the party into unnecessary challenges,” he expressed.
Raja Singh clarified that although he is distancing himself from the party, he remains fully devoted to the Hindutva ideology.
The MLA urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president J. P. Nadda, Amit Shah, and B. L. Santosh to ‘reassess this decision’. “Telangana is prepared for the BJP, but it is crucial that we select the right leadership to seize this opportunity and not allow it to slip away,” he emphasized.
The BJP issued a notification on Sunday regarding the election of a new state unit leader.
Several high-ranking officials were considered as potential successors to the current president and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, including Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay, MPs Arvind Dharmapuri, Eatala Rajender, K. Laxman, and D. K. Aruna.
Kishan Reddy was appointed state BJP president before the 2023 Assembly elections, succeeding Bandi Sanjay. He led the party during the Assembly elections and in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Despite the BJP securing only eight seats in the 119-member Assembly, it doubled its seat count to eight in the Lok Sabha elections.
After the BJP retained control at the national level, Kishan Reddy was reinstated in the Cabinet. A shift in the state leadership has been anticipated for several months.