Bandi POCSO case, Meenakshi nomination rejection and Hitler remarks leave AICC concerned over Telangana developments

A series of developments in Telangana, including the handling of the Bandi Sai Bhageerath POCSO case, Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination rejection and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's remarks, have reportedly drawn the attention of the Congress high command

Hyderabad: The handling of the Bandi Sai Bhageerath POCSO case by the Telangana government, the rejection of AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination papers and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s remarks citing Adolf Hitler as an inspiration have caused concern within the Congress high command.

According to party sources, these developments have attracted national attention and raised questions within the party leadership, prompting closer scrutiny of affairs in the Telangana unit.

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Despite it being an official meeting, the Congress leadership also found itself in an uncomfortable position following Revanth Reddy’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly in the backdrop of his “Mere se hi judo” remarks.

Amid criticism from various quarters, the AICC took serious note of the Chief Minister’s comments on Hitler. AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal disapproved of the remarks, stating that they were unacceptable. According to reports, the party leadership also conveyed its displeasure to the Chief Minister and advised him to exercise greater caution and discipline in his public statements.

Even as the controversy appeared to be subsiding, the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination papers triggered fresh concerns. The issue gained further attention after Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged that information regarding discrepancies in the nomination affidavit had originated from Telangana.

TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud said an inquiry into the episode was underway. “The AICC has also taken a serious view of the development. The high command sought an explanation from me and I provided a detailed clarification during the AICC meeting,” Goud said in an interview with a regional news channel.

The Bandi Sai Bhageerath POCSO case also drew criticism over the State government’s response, particularly regarding the delay in apprehending the accused. The case attracted wider attention and became a political flashpoint for the Opposition.

“All these developments are being closely watched by the party leadership. The Telangana Congress as well as the AICC is concerned about the controversies and their political impact,” a senior Congress leader from Gandhi Bhavan said.

The party leadership is expected to closely monitor developments in the State unit in the coming months, the leader added.