By The Sampadak Express
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stirred controversy on Friday, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not belong to the backward classes by birth but is a “legally converted BC (Backward Class).” His remarks, made during a Congress event in Hyderabad, prompted a sharp response from the BJP, with party leaders accusing Reddy of making divisive comments unbecoming of someone holding the state’s highest office.
Addressing Congress supporters, Reddy asserted that PM Modi was originally from an upper-caste background and had only been classified as BC (Backward Class) after assuming the role of Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001. “PM Modi said he belongs to BC. He is not BC. He is legally converted BC. Before becoming the Chief Minister, his caste was among the upper classes in Gujarat, and after becoming CM, he merged that caste into BC,” Reddy claimed. He further criticized Modi’s “anti-BC mentality,” suggesting that while Modi holds a BC certificate, his actions reflect an upper-caste mindset.
In response, BJP leaders were quick to hit back, accusing Reddy of making baseless and provocative statements. Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy called for a public debate on the matter, challenging the Chief Minister to substantiate his claims regarding the PM’s caste identity.“
Revanth Reddy’s impatience is showing as Congress is losing public support in Telangana and across India,” Kishan Reddy said, suggesting that Reddy’s remarks were an attempt to deflect attention from the Congress party’s failures.
Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar also criticized Reddy, questioning whether he knew the caste and religion of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. “Talking about the PM’s caste is a diversionary tactic to cover up the Congress party’s broken promises on providing 42% reservation to BCs,” Kumar alleged. He further remarked that Reddy’s comments were unfounded, pointing out that PM Modi was listed as OBC (Other Backward Class) when Congress was in power in 1994.
BJP MP Etela Rajender joined in, asserting that leaders who criticized PM Modi had faced electoral setbacks, and suggested that the same fate awaited Revanth Reddy. He emphasized Modi’s transcendence of caste divisions and his global stature, citing the respect shown to him by international leaders such as the American President. “PM Modi is the pride of India, and those who criticize him face consequences,” Rajender said.
This is not the first time Reddy has made controversial comments about the Prime Minister. Last month, he compared Modi to the medieval Turkish invader Mahmud of Ghazni, a statement that was widely condemned by BJP leaders.
As the political tensions in Telangana continue to rise, Revanth Reddy’s remarks are likely to fuel further debate ahead of the upcoming elections, with the BJP framing his comments as part of a broader strategy to undermine the Prime Minister’s image.
