Revanth Reddy says Shiva for poor, Ram for rich in swipe at BJP

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy triggered a controversy on Monday by stating that Lord Shiva is the god of the poor while Lord Ram is the god of the rich, during a session at The Conclave 2026 in New Delhi. According to telugu360.com, Reddy described devotees in the South as Dravidians and Shiva devotees, and those in the North as Aryans and Ram devotees, questioning why BJP leaders chant Jai Shri Ram but not Har Har Mahadev. Siasat.com reported Reddy also called the BJP a party of the wealthy and linked Lord Ram to kings and rulers while associating Lord Shiva with the working class.

Reddy extended his criticism to the Modi government, alleging it created a Gujarat versus the rest of India situation by favouring Gujarat in investments, citing projects in Telangana like the Regional Ring Road and Metro expansion that lacked central cooperation. He also raised concerns over the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha seats after 2026, arguing that population-based increases would widen the representation gap between northern and southern states. Additionally, Reddy attacked the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, comparing it to the Simon Commission and calling for a nationwide SIR Go Back campaign, while outlining Telangana's education and skills initiatives.