BJP leaders desert Etela’s padayatra

Except for one or two leaders, MPs, MLAs and other senior leaders stay away from the march

metro india news I hyderabad

Internal differences within the Telangana BJP have once again come to the fore, with the padayatra launched by Malkajgiri BJP MP Etela Rajender highlighting the apparent divisions within the party. The conduct of party leaders has once again reinforced the impression that everyone in the BJP is following their own course.

Etela Rajender, a senior BJP leader and MP, has been undertaking a four-day padayatra titled Chalo Dumping Yard, demanding the relocation of the Jawaharnagar dumping yard. His supporters believe that the march, organised to highlight public grievances, has not received much support from other BJP leaders.

On the first day of the march, BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao joined Etela and extended his support. Subsequently, barring BJP Legislature Party leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, no other prominent leaders participated in the march or extended significant support, according to discussions within party circles. 

However, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay issued a statement on Friday expressing his support for Etela's padayatra. No comparable support has come from other leaders. BJP leaders stay away. There is growing talk that senior BJP leaders have stayed away from Etela's campaign. The party's national leadership had recently worked towards resolving differences among Telangana leaders during meetings in Delhi. However, the absence of most leaders from the padayatra is likely to send a message to party workers that divisions have resurfaced.

Residents of Malkajgiri, Medchal and Keesara have been suffering for decades due to the Jawaharnagar dumping yard, located in the heart of Hyderabad's outskirts. Foul odour, pollution and contamination of groundwater have caused severe hardship to thousands of families. Etela began his march from the affected area to highlight these problems. Apart from BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao and BJP Legislature Party leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, no other prominent leaders joined the march. 

The Jawaharnagar dumping yard issue is not confined to the Malkajgiri constituency but affects the entire city of Hyderabad. Had the BJP united to fight the issue, it could have mounted greater pressure on the government. However, other leaders appear to be viewing it merely as an issue concerning Etela Rajender's constituency rather than a statewide public concern.

Party circles feel that if all leaders had joined the march and collectively pressured the government, the BJP could have gained considerable public support. It would also have sent a strong message to party workers and the national leadership that the State unit was united. With the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections approaching, a united campaign could have provided the party with a strong political issue to take to voters and improve its electoral prospects.

Wrong message to the public

The lack of coordination among leaders could send the wrong message to the public. People may question why BJP leaders cannot come together even to fight for an important public cause. The Congress and BRS could use the situation to portray the BJP as a divided party.

If Etela fights alone, the campaign may remain an individual effort. If the entire party joins him, it could turn into a broader public movement and increase pressure on the government.

The BJP appears to have missed an opportunity to turn the Jawaharnagar dumping yard issue into a collective campaign. As the problem transcends political affiliations, a united struggle could have strengthened the party's image as an organisation that fights for public causes

Instead, the perception that BJP leaders are pursuing their own agendas has once again raised questions about unity within the Telangana unit.