Hyderabad: Minister Uttam warns people against BJP’s ‘divisive politics’

Hyderabad: Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy warned citizens against the BJP’s divisive politics, accusing the ruling party of fostering communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims.

Speaking at the 34th anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Yatra on Saturday at the historic Charminar, he credited the Gandhi family for its sacrifices in upholding the unity and integrity of the nation.

‘Gandhi family always fostered peace and unity’

“While the BJP always tried to divide the country on communal lines, the Gandhi family countered such moves by promoting peace, unity, and brotherhood,” he said.

He said it was Rajiv Gandhi who initiated Sadbhavana Yatra 34 years ago to negate BJP’s communal agenda, similar to Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra to integrate the country.

Uttam Kumar Reddy hailed the contributions of the Nehru-Gandhi family. He appreciated how martyrdom came to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for the unity of the nation and how Sonia Gandhi self-sacrificingly gave up her prime chance at becoming the prime minister in the UPA regime. When it came to Sonia Gandhi’s political will coming in handy during the formation of Telangana, he said that was a big political sacrifice made despite the chances of likely loss of Congress power in Andhra Pradesh.

Focus on communal harmony

He pointed out that the BJP was trying to split the nation on communal lines and asked people to be on their guard against parties which sought to religiously divide them.

“The BJP is trying to create a communal divide, and we must all be wary of their divisive politics,” he said. He asked the Congress party workers to remain focused on the mission of unity and communal harmony that the Sadbhavana Yatra launched by Rajiv Gandhi had kept alive.

Geetha Reddy honoured with Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award

Former minister Dr J Geetha Reddy, who was conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award, was hailed by Uttam Kumar Reddy.

He welcomed Geetha Reddy’s decision to give up the lucrative medical career in Saudi Arabia to join politics on Rajiv Gandhi’s call. She was elected four times as an MLA and held ministerial portfolios of great responsibility, though she did not contest recent elections due to health issues. He appreciated her unwavering decades-long commitment to Gandhian values and public life.

He further acknowledged the recent appointment of Mahesh Kumar Goud as the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president and expressed confidence in his leadership. He assured full support to chief minister A Revanth Reddy and Mahesh Kumar Goud in strengthening the Congress party in Telangana.

At the event, Uttam Kumar Reddy also paid floral tributes to the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.