TG thrashes Tejasvi Surya

metro india news  I hyderabad

All hell broke loose in Parliament on Thursday when BJP MP Tejasvi Surya in the Lok Sabha compared the 2014 bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh to the 1947 India-Pakistan partition. The comments, made while criticising the Congress party’s handling of the state division, have drawn sharp condemnation from leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), who accuse the BJP of ridiculing the decades-long Telangana statehood movement. The controversy has once again thrust the sensitive issue of bifurcation into the spotlight, exposing deep fault lines in regional politics.

Surya, the BJP MP from Bengaluru South and a vocal party spokesperson, reportedly drew the analogy during a parliamentary debate. He slammed the Congress-led UPA government for what he described as a botched and irresponsible process that left unresolved issues such as capital city development, asset division, and special status promises for the residual Andhra Pradesh. According to accounts circulating on social media and regional news channels, Surya argued that the bifurcation was executed more messily than the British-era partition of India and Pakistan, framing it as a case of administrative failure and political short-sightedness by the Congress.

The remarks quickly went viral, triggering immediate backlash from Telangana’s political class, particularly the BRS. Party leader Manne Krishank condemned the statement in strong terms. “This is not Tejasvi Surya. This is the language of Modi ji,” he posted on X, sharing a clip of the speech. “Not once but many times, the creation of our dream, our decades of struggle for Telangana State, is ridiculed by BJP. If only Shri KCR’s party members were in Lok Sabha today, they would have not been silent.” Krishank’s post, which garnered hundreds of reactions, highlighted the emotional core of the Telangana movement, which saw students, employees, and activists sacrifice lives in protests demanding statehood.

Other BRS voices echoed the outrage. A party worker and supporter, Sai Ram Guptha Andole, urged Surya to “understand history” before speaking. “Comparing the Telangana–Andhra Pradesh bifurcation with the India–Pakistan partition is nothing but ignorance or a deliberate exaggeration for political gain,” he wrote. “The India-Pakistan partition was marked by massive bloodshed, religious hatred, and the loss of millions of lives. In contrast, the formation of Telangana was a democratic process… after decades of sustained movement.” The post underscored that the 2014 bifurcation was achieved through parliamentary legislation following prolonged agitation, without the communal violence of 1947.

Even neutral observers and regional media outlets amplified the criticism. The Telugu news portal Great Andhra shared the video clip with the caption questioning the comparison: “Idem polika saaru?” (What kind of comparison is this, sir?). It reminded viewers that the BJP itself had supported the Telangana bill in Parliament in 2014.

In response, BJP leaders in Telangana rushed to defend Surya and clarify the context. State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao addressed the media, accusing the BRS and Congress of “needlessly twisting and misrepresenting” the MP’s words. “The Hon’ble MP’s remarks must be understood in the proper context in which they were made,” Rao stated. He contrasted the Congress’s “deeply flawed and irresponsible” handling of the AP-Telangana split with the BJP’s successful creation of Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Rao emphasised that the BJP had consistently backed Telangana statehood from the beginning, while Congress had delayed it for decades, leading to loss of lives. He also pointed out what he called a growing “nexus” between BRS and Congress in Telangana’s current politics.

BRS leaders, however, view the comments as an attack on the legitimacy of the Telangana movement itself. The party, which traces its roots to the separate Telangana agitation, has long positioned itself as the sole guardian of the state’s pride and self-respect. KCR and his son KTR have repeatedly accused the Centre—whether UPA or NDA—of betraying bifurcation commitments. The fresh controversy comes at a time when municipal elections are underway, and BRS is seeking to regain lost ground by invoking regional sentiment.

As reactions continue to pour in on social media, the episode has reignited debates over how India’s federal structure handles state reorganisations. Supporters of Surya argue that criticising poor implementation does not diminish the validity of Telangana’s formation. Critics insist that drawing parallels to the traumatic 1947 partition trivialises the sacrifices of Telangana martyrs and insults the democratic ethos of the movement.

With Parliament sessions often becoming battlegrounds for regional grievances, Surya’s intervention has ensured that the ghosts of 2014 continue to haunt national and state politics.

Bifurcation bogey returns

Tejasvi Surya is an ignorant fool for comparing Telangana’s formation to Pakistan’s partition. Telangana was created constitutionally, and such remarks insult our movement and our state, so his Lok Sabha membership should be cancelled. The Speaker must remove Surya’s comments from the records, and BJP MPs in Telangana must explain why they remain silent when our people are insulted.

Ponnam Prabhaker Minister for Transport and BC Welfare

People like Tejswani Surya have no idea about the Constitution and how the re organisations of states are done. He is not even aware the important role played by the BJP and Sushma Swaraj as leaders of the opposition in supporting the bill. After the bifurcation Sushma Ji came to Telangana and appealed to the people here not to forget Chinamma (younger mother) that she is. He should tender and unconditional apology to people in Telangana state.

Prof M Kodandaram, TJS president and MLC

Tejasvi Surya’s remarks comparing Telangana’s formation to Pakistan’s partition are irresponsible and deeply hurtful to the self‑respect of four crore Telangana people. Telangana was achieved through democratic struggle and sacrifices, not through bloodshed, so such comparisons are a historical blunder. Tejasvi Surya must apologize unconditionally in Parliament, and BRS will always stand to protect Telangana’s history and dignity.

T Harish Rao, BRS Dy Floor Leader in Assembly

Comparing Telangana’s creation to the India–Pakistan partition is foolish and insulting. No one has the right to hurt the sentiments of Telangana people or belittle the sacrifices of our martyrs. Tejasvi Surya must imme-diately withdraw his remarks and offer an unconditional apology to the people of Telangana, or else his words will be treated as BJP’s official stand.

KT Rama Rao, BRS Working President

This statement comparing Telangana’s formation to Pakistan’s partition is an insult to our people. Telangana was achieved through democratic struggle and sacrifices, not through bloodshed. Such remarks must be withdrawn immediately, and an unconditional apology should be given to the people of Telangana.

Jupally Krishna Rao Minister for Tourism, Prohibition & Excise

Tejasvi Surya’s remarks reflect the BJP leadership’s continued bias against Telangana; they have made it a habit to spread division even when states should remain united. They speak irresponsibly as if they are party heads, unaware of the damage such attitudes cause to the South, while insulting Telangana’s self-respect. 

Addanki Dayaker, Congress MLC

These comments reflect Surya’s political ignorance and a deeply discriminatory mindset. Mr. Tejasvi Surya, as a lawyer, your ignorance of the Indian Constitution is deeply regrettable. Equating this democratic achievement to the British-orchestrated Partition of India is an insult to the Constitution and the parliamentary system. The silence of 16 Telangana MPs (8 BJP and 8 Congress) is shameful. After securing votes here, they remain mute while their colleague insults the state’s dignity. Case must be registered under BNSS

Dr. Dasoju Sravan, BRS MLC