Bandi Sanjay challenges AIMIM on Vande Mataram, targets Congress over ration cards

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Saturday announced the BJP would organise a mass recital of Vande Mataram at Hyderabad's Bhagyalakshmi Temple near Charminar, with lakhs expected to join. Deccan Chronicle reports he challenged the AIMIM to stop the programme “if they had the courage,” and warned that insulting the national song could attract a three-year jail term and fine. Siasat adds that he referred to AIMIM members walking out when the song was played in the Assembly.

Sanjay also questioned the Congress government in Telangana for printing the photographs of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on smart PDS ration cards, while excluding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo. He noted the Centre provides rice to 57 lakh ration cardholders in the state. Deccan Chronicle quotes him asking why the Prime Minister's photo is excluded if central funds are used. Siasat reports his claim that about Rs 600 crore is being spent on the smart cards, and that Karnataka's similar cards became useless after the Chief Minister changed.

Sanjay alleged the Congress government has continued the previous BRS regime's practices by taking credit for central schemes and failing to fulfil election promises on fee reimbursement and unemployment assistance. Deccan Chronicle adds he criticised the government over 95 lakh acres placed under Section 22A of the Registration Act and rising debt, saying faster development requires a BJP-led double-engine government.