BJP leader Jithender Reddy's funny tweet sparks row in BJP; clarifies later

Hyderabad: A funny video tweet by BJP's ex-MP and National Executive Member A P Jithender Reddy has kicked up a furor and raised eyebrows in political circles.

“This treatment is what’s required for BJP Telangana leadership,” the tweet said.

The tweet showed a farmer lifting the tail of a lazy yak that refuses to get into a van like others and gave a sound kick on its ass. The yak jumped into the van.

Jithender Reddy tagged the tweet to @blsanthosh, @BJP4India @AmitShah @Sunilbansalbjp, and @BJP4 Telangana.

Everyone who had gone through the tweet presumed it was targeted at BJP State President Bandi Sanjay.

As the tweet garnered quick reaction from Twitterati, party leaders and workers, pro and anti-comments against Jithender Reddy, the ex-BJP MP quickly posted another tweet in Telugu as a clarification.

Jithender Reddy explained that his tweet was against KCR social media dogs who should know that those questioning Bandi Sanjay’s leadership should get this kind of treatment. They are playing havoc for a few crumbs, he quipped. But the damage was done.

While Jitender Reddy was busy in a meeting and could not speak, N V Subhash, official spokesman of BJP Telangana told NewsMeter that it was wrong to interpret the tweet as one against the party president.

“He (Jitender Reddy) has clarified in another tweet. The matter should end there,” he said.

Twitterati latched on to Jithender Reddy’s tweet, some were in splits, some for and against the tweet including party activists.

Umakar Reddy@ “aha, bandi ki manchi treatment”.

Another said, “Sir please delete this tweet, it is showing @BJP Telangana in bad light.”

Vinay Gujjarlapudi tweeted, ”For your kind information!! I hope ur the one of those.”

Another said: “His Twitter account was hacked it seems.”

Karnataka effect

BJP has been in the news for the wrong reasons since the party’s debacle in the neighbouring Karnataka assembly elections. The leaders and cadre who were in an upbeat mood till then looked subdued.

In Telangana, the party aims to capture power in the assembly elections and sure of winning maximum Lok Sabha seats under the Modi wave.

Party fails to attract Ponguleti, Jupally

But the anticipated joining of former BRS leaders MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and ex-minister Jupally Krishna Rao failed to take off and both along with 33 others joined the Congress party in the presence of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Party leader Rahul Gandhi, TPCC president A Revanth Reddy.

This has dampened the spirits of the party leaders and cadre. Besides, there were rumours of a change in Telangana party leadership, and unhappiness among some leaders including MLA Etala Rajender, MLA Raghunandan Rao, Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, etc. National BJP leadership stepped in and spoke to the leaders.

Threat to Etala Rajender

Added to this, Etala Rajender’s wife Jamuna alleged that there was a threat to her husband’s life from BRS MLC Kaushik Reddy.

Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao immediately asked DGP Anjani Kumar to get in touch with Etala Rajender and if needed enhance his security. DGP sent Medchal DCP Sandeep to Etala Rajender, and the latter enquired about the security threat and promised needed security.

Bandi Sanjay dismisses rumours

But party president and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar repeatedly dismissed the talk of change in the leadership, dissidence, and unhappiness among leaders in the party. He asserted party will win in Telangana State in the ensuing elections.

He alleged BRS and KCR were floating rumours of a change in the leadership to confuse the cadre and demean the party.

BJP national leadership and Telangana in charge Tarun Chugh had also dismissed the rumours.

Leaders of 10 states to meet in Hyderabad

BJP has decided to hold a meeting of party chiefs in Hyderabad on July 8. Besides Telangana, leaders from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman, Goa, Diu, Daman, and Lakshadweep will participate and discuss the ensuing election strategy.