BJP MLA’s, who defeated KCR, Revanth, Video goes viral

In a stirring address that has quickly gone viral on social media, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Kamareddy, Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy, delivered a scathing critique of the pervasive culture of leader worship in Indian politics. The speech, captured in a video posted by BJP activist Saffron Sagar Goud on X (formerly Twitter), has amassed over 14,000 views, 789 likes, and 186 reposts within hours, igniting a heated online discussion about political sycophancy and the need for substantive governance.

The event unfolded during a nighttime rally in a local ward, amid what appears to be campaigning for upcoming municipal elections. Standing on a makeshift stage atop a vehicle, clad in traditional white attire with a red scarf, Reddy spoke passionately in Telugu, gesturing emphatically to an attentive crowd below. His companion, dressed in an orange BJP sash, stood by silently as Reddy lambasted the "ugly faces" plastered on flex banners that greet citizens every morning, symbolizing the over-the-top adulation of political figures.

"Every day, we wake up to these daridrapu mohalu (ugly faces) on posters and banners," Reddy said, according to translations from the video and reactions shared online. He argued that such displays foster a cult of personality, where leaders are treated like deities rather than public servants accountable to the people. Drawing a vivid analogy, Reddy pointed to the common practice of printing politicians' photos on religious offerings, such as Ganapati laddus distributed during festivals. "Even on Ganapati laddus, they put their photos. Is this devotion or self-promotion? We celebrate festivals with laddus, but do we need leaders' faces on them to pray?" he questioned, eliciting nods and applause from the audience.

Reddy didn't stop there. He highlighted the hypocrisy in political hero worship, noting how posters of prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi often end up discarded on streets after elections. "Modi ji's posters lie in the gutters— is he not a nayakudu (leader)? Leaders come and go; they are here to serve, not to be worshipped," he emphasized. He also took aim at the entourages that accompany politicians: pilot vehicles blaring sirens, groups of sycophants chanting bhajans, and the overall "slave mentality" that prioritizes flattery over development. "Mandals of banisa bhajana brindalu (groups of slave-like chant teams)—this must end. Vote for work, not worship," Reddy urged, calling for a shift toward performance-based politics.

The speech, lasting about four minutes, was shared by Sagar Goud with the caption, "This speech will make you think. Watch it." Goud, a former corporator from Bandlaguda Jagir Municipal Corporation and a vocal BJP supporter from Rudramadevi Gadda, has positioned himself as a key promoter of party messages through his SG Media group. The post quickly drew praise from some quarters. User pothukuchis lauded Reddy's "clarity of thought, earthy communication, and depth of understanding," predicting a bright future for him in the party. Another commenter, Ànjaneyulu Gudapati, echoed, "You spoke my mind man... Morning after morning, ugly faces, slave bhajan groups, pilot vehicles, sirens!!"

Reddy, elected from Kamareddy in the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections, has been a vocal advocate for BJP's agenda in the state. His victory over opponents from Congress and BRS marked a significant gain for the party in a region traditionally dominated by regional forces. Telangana's political landscape remains tense, with the BJP pushing to expand its footprint amid ongoing local body polls. The state's municipal elections, focused on issues like infrastructure and welfare, have seen similar criticisms of "poster politics" from various sides.

Political analysts view Reddy's speech as a strategic move to differentiate BJP from rivals accused of dynastic and personality-driven politics. "It's a call for maturity in democracy," said Dr. Ravi Kumar, a Hyderabad-based political commentator. "But in a state where leaders like KCR and Revanth Reddy command fierce loyalty, such messages risk alienating core supporters."

Modi ji's posters lie in the gutters— is he not a nayakudu (leader)? Leaders come and go; they are here to serve, not to be worshipped

Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA