Revanth Reddy faces heat in Bihar over old ‘DNA’ remark

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s first campaign in Bihar drew sharp backlash over his past remarks belittling Biharis. Political leaders, including Prashant Kishor, questioned his presence, while citizens criticised Rahul Gandhi for inviting him to campaign

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s maiden campaign for the Bihar Assembly polls has triggered sharp criticism, with people in the State questioning what they described as his “hatred” towards Biharis.

Reddy, who campaigned in Bihar on Tuesday along with Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, faced strong reactions to his past remarks against people from Bihar, including IAS officers serving in Telangana. His presence in Bihar drew flak from political leaders and citizens alike.

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Jan Suraj founder Prashant Kishor openly questioned Reddy’s participation in the campaign. “Who is Revanth Reddy and what is his contribution to Bihar? He has abused Bihar people and said labour work is in the DNA of Biharis,” Kishor said.

Reddy’s controversial comments, made soon after assuming office in 2023, had sparked a political row, with parties including the JD(U) and BJP condemning them as divisive and arrogant. Criticising top officials who served during former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s tenure, Reddy had then declared: “My DNA is Telangana and it is better than Bihar DNA.”

Recalling the statement, Kishor warned: “What is his status in Bihar? If Revanth Reddy visits any village, people will chase him with sticks.” He also targeted Rahul Gandhi for inviting Reddy to campaign, saying, “This shows Rahul Gandhi’s mindset. He invited a person who abused Bihar people.”

Reddy wound up his trip and returned to Hyderabad late in the evening. Apart from accompanying the Gandhis, he barely addressed the public in Bihar.

Union Minister demands Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi to apologise to Bihar

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also took strong objection to Revanth Reddy’s presence in Bihar and said it was an insult to the people. He demanded Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to apologise to the people of Bihar for inviting the Telangana Chief Minister to the State.

Speaking to media persons in Patna on Tuesday, the Union Minister said Revanth Reddy was abusing Bihar but still, Rahul Gandhi had invited him to the State.
 
“Congress party is scared and is resorting to all sorts of nonsense. I demand Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to apologise to the Bihar people for insulting them,” Pradhan said.

 

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, “I give credit to Rahul Gandhi’s courage, on top of theft, he shows off the chest. The Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, abuses Bihar… yet he (Rahul Gandhi) is still taking him around and saying that… pic.twitter.com/VhDh6pwOUB

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2025