# Revanth Reddy row: Ram for rich, Shiva for poor remark sparks BJP backlash

2026-09-29T06:31:20+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has triggered a political firestorm by saying Lord Shiva is the "God of the poor" and Lord Ram the "God of the rich". Speaking at a New Delhi conclave, Reddy also accused the BJP of "stealing" Lord Ram as a political symbol, linking the party's frequent use of "Jai Shri Ram" to the interests of the rich. The BJP hit back hard. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar pointed out that Telangana itself houses major temples for both deities, including Vemulawada ("Dakshina Kashi") and Bhadrachalam ("Dakshina Ayodhya"). BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged the remarks were aimed at "dividing Hindus" on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi for vote-bank politics. Reddy framed his comments within a broader argument about north-south cultural differences, saying Congress retains relevance in the south partly because of regional political identity. The BJP has rejected his characterisation and questioned his party's past opposition to temple projects. The political row shows no sign of cooling.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Greatandhra leads with the BJP's accusation that Reddy's remarks are a Congress-backed plot to divide Hindus, including the incendiary "modern Muslim League" label. M9.news frames the CM as tactically outsmarting the BJP on its own religious turf, foregrounding speculation about the BJP's predicament over a response. ET reports the controversy as a straight political clash between Reddy's regional-identity argument and Bandi Sanjay's factual rebuttal that Telangana itself houses major Shiva and Ram temples. What each omits: greatandhra buries the structural north-south identity argument under the polarising charge, m9.news treats the distinction between Ram and Shiva as uncontested fact rather than Reddy's rhetorical device. The balanced reading is that Reddy used a known regional-identity grievance to attack BJP's symbolic politics, while the BJP returned fire with a unity-of-worship argument, both arguments exist across these texts. ET's temple-names give that rebuttal concrete force.

## Coverage

- greatandhra.com (pro government) <https://www.greatandhra.com/politics/telangana-news/reddys-ram-god-of-rich-shiva-of-poor-remark-triggers-bjp-backlash/>
  Leads with BJP's polarising 'divide Hindus' accusation, downplays north-south identity argument
- m9.news (sensationalist) <https://www.m9.news/politics/revanth-reddy-ram-shiva-remark-bjp-debate/>
  Frames CM as tactically smarter, treats Ram-Shiva distinction as fact, centres BJP's discomfort
- economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/revanth-reddy-says-shiva-is-god-of-poor-ram-god-of-rich-represented-by-wealthy-party-like-bjp/articleshow/134558926.cms>
  Straight news reporting of both sides' claims, includes both Reddy's argument and Bandi Sanjay's factual rebuttal

Tags: BJP, Lord Ram, Lord Shiva, Rahul Gandhi, Revanth Reddy, Telangana
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