Telangana BJP chief carries sandals for Amit Shah, critics say servitude mentality

Hyderabad: Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar's instant action following Union Home Minister's temple visit has become a tool for the oppositions to attack BJP for the existing hierarchy within the party.

A video that is viral now for the very reason that the state BJP chief Bandi is seen making his way hurriedly, fetching sandals and placing it by his hand in front of Amit Shah while both the leaders were stepping out of the temple.

The incident happened when Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Hyderabad as part of his state visit along with other state leaders on Sunday.

The BJP state chief's gesture drew criticism from the political arena for the servitude mentality of the BJP leaders towards their higher authority, it is none other than TRS working president and Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao whose criticism stood alone because of the ferocity.

Sharing the video on Twitter, KT Rama Rao said the people of Telangana are watchful about the actions of 'Gujarati slaves', who were carrying Delhi's slippers, and they are also seeing the leader, referring to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who created fear in leaders in Delhi.

"The people of Telangana across communities are ready to push back the attempt to denigrate Telangana's self-respect and to uphold the state's pride. Jai Telangana!" KTR tweeted.

Congress in the state as well as many others, said it indicated a "slavery mindset" in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and called it an affront to the self-respect of Telangana.

The Telangana Congress said Bandi had placed Telangana's self-esteem at the feet of a former 'tadipaar'. "BJP Telangana leaders' behaviour is the pinnacle of slavery! Is this how lowly your lives are in the BJP! And if the Telangana BJP president is carrying sandals, wonder what the rest of them have to do?"

Shah's visit to Telangana comes in the run-up to the bypolls to the Munugode Assembly seat in Nalgonda district.