Hyderabad: The Congress govt has given a significant push for development of temples and is celebrating festivals in Telangana by spending hundreds of crores of rupees, with political analysis terming it as a strategic move by chief minister A Revanth Reddy to preempt the BJP from gaining politically on religious grounds in Telangana.After its electoral success in Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry, mainly on religious plank, the BJP central leadership is all set to shift its focus on Telangana. Political observers and leaders said sanction of nearly 3,000 crore for development of temples and celebration of festivals by Revanth-led govt will stand tall in terms of checking the saffron party plans for Telangana. Political analyst S Ramakrishna told TOI that CM Revanth is leaving no stone unturned to stop the BJP from raking up a communal atmosphere in Telangana. “On one side, the Revanth-govt is focusing on temple development and temple tourism, on the other the BJP will now go all out to claim its place in Telangana. The BJP’s performance was dismal in municipal and panchayat elections after winning 8 Lok Sabha seats. PM Modi’s visit will be used to propel their electoral prospects in GHMC elections,” he said.However, the Congress leaders played it safe, stating that the Congress is a secular party and the Revanth govt is not only developing temples but also has decided to bear the additional burden on Haj pilgrimage due to the war in West Asia. Telangana Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud said: “Yes, the govt is developing temples as it is secular governance led by CM Revanth. The govt has also announced plans of constructing a grand mosque, a church and a gurdwara as part of the Musi project. Funds are released for smooth and successful conduct of Ramzan, Bonalu, Sammakka Saralamma Jatara to name a few festivals,” he informed.But the BJP is in no mood to agree with these claims. Ahead of PM Modi’s visit on Sunday, BJP state president N Ramchander Rao termed the Congress govt as anti-Hindu. “In Oct 2024, the Muthyalamma temple’s idol in Secunderabad was desecrated, part of the structure of a temple in Jubilee Hills was demolished in July 2025, the Katta Maisamma temple and an associated statue and idol in Safilguda were desecrated in Jan 2026, a Lord Hanuman statue was found broken in Rampalli in Keesara in Oct 2025, an idol in Maisamma temple at Puranapul was vandalised in Jan 2026, and a Hanuman temple was desecrated in Chandrayangutta in Feb 2026,” he said.
