Hyderabad: Union minister of state for home Bandi Sanjay on Tuesday struck an assertive Hindutva tone ahead of the civic election battle in Hyderabad, declaring that the BJP would transform the Bhagyalakshmi temple into a ‘Golden Temple’ on the lines of Punjab if voted to power, while pledging protection for the Hindu community in the city. After offering prayers at the temple at Charminar, Sanjay addressed the media alongside BJP corporators from Karimnagar. He said the party secured the mayor’s post in Karimnagar despite numerous challenges, attributing the victory to the blessings of Goddess Mahashakti and Goddess Bhagyalakshmi. On the forthcoming GHMC elections, he said the BJP would campaign on development and Hindutva, promising to highlight the role of central funds in local growth. Sanjay criticised Congress and BRS leaders over their stance on the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, urging people to abandon those parties for the BJP’s saffron flag. He referred to attacks on temples during the Congress govt’s tenure and called for Hindu unity. He also claimed that development in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) was driven solely by central funds, questioning improvements in living conditions for the Muslim community. He said the BJP would present all the facts to the people in the GHMC elections. Targeting chief minister A Revanth Reddy, he asked how much funding the Centre had provided for Hyderabad’s development over the past 27 months and reiterated that municipalities and panchayats were progressing mainly due to central support. ‘Deeksha kids not allowed into school’He alleged that people in Hanuman, Ayyappa or Bhavani deeksha were denied leave and that children wearing garlands were not allowed to attend school, questioning whether such a situation should continue. He also claimed that Muslim women in Karimnagar voted en masse for the BJP. Referring to Banswada, he alleged that when AIMIM leaders attacked Hindus with stones, authorities failed to act despite visual evidence being submitted to the police.
