Telangana Congress moves EC over MP Arvind’s alleged inflammatory speeches

Hyderabad: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) formally petitioned the State Election Commission on Friday to take action against Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind, alleging that the BJP leader delivered inflammatory speeches aimed at polarising voters on religious and caste lines.

The complaint, submitted by P Rajesh Kumar, chairman of the TPCC Election Commission Coordination Committee, highlights specific remarks made during a corner meeting at Dubba ‘X’ Road and a community gathering in Vinayaknagar on February 5.

‘Campaign rhetoric with a religious agenda’

According to the TPCC, MP Arvind’s campaign rhetoric violates the Model Code of Conduct and existing election laws. The Congress provided video evidence of the MP urging voters to elect BJP representatives at every level—from Mayor to MP—to facilitate a religious agenda.

In his speech, Arvind reportedly stated, “Vote for those who fight. If the MP is BJP, the MLA is BJP, and the Mayor is BJP, then the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra will begin from Hindu areas.”

Furthermore, the MP allegedly promised infrastructure improvements specifically targeted at one religious group, claiming he would bring ‘Vande Bharat Bullet Trains’ specifically for the ‘Hindus of Nizamabad.’

High-stakes Municipal Polls ahead

The timing of these remarks is significant as Telangana prepares for high-stakes municipal elections, including the GHMC polls. The Congress party, currently on an organisational drive to reclaim its footprint in the Old City and other neglected urban pockets, argues that such ‘hate speech’ is a desperate attempt to consolidate votes through communal division rather than developmental merit.