Bandi Sanjay defends BJP workers, cautions rivals against ‘provocations’

Union Home Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday said that the BJP workers did not intend to attack the BRS MLA camp office in Karimnagar, but asked if they were expected to remain silent in the face of the alleged harassment.

Speaking to the media here on Thursday, the Karimnagar MP declared that the BJP “has never encouraged and will not encourage such attacks” while warning political opponents not to confuse restraint with “weakness or helplessness”.

He accused the BRS of representing “anarchy and violence”, claiming that its leaders had resorted to intimidation while in power, but now projected themselves as “exemplars of virtue”. He added that people have not forgotten the alleged excesses committed during the BRS regime.

Earlier, State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao had condemned the personal statements made by BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy against Mr. Sanjay Kumar. Addressing the media at the party’s State office, he said the BJP will not remain a “silent spectator” and will respond appropriately if its leaders are targeted with false allegations or insults.

While asserting that criticism and counter-criticism are part of democratic politics, Mr. Rao said those in responsible positions should follow the rules of etiquette. He reiterated that the BJP does not support violence and warned against behavior that could lead to personal insult.

Mr. Rao also celebrated one year anniversary of ‘Operation Sindhoor’, an Indian Army initiative targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. At an event organized by the BJP’s Retired Army Cell, he paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives and praised the Army’s retaliatory strikes following the Pahalgam attack. He said the operation underlined the Modi government’s firm stance on national security.

He also criticized Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of asking “inappropriate” questions about security operations and likening their stance to “representatives” of hostile nations.