Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar stirred controversy while addressing a press briefing in Karimnagar, drawing a parallel between the upcoming Telangana MLC elections and a cricket match between India and Pakistan.
Referring to the election as a political "match," he declared in Karimnagar, Telangana, "Recently, there was a cricket match between India and Pakistan. Just like our cricketers met the hopes of the cricket fans, BJP will win the MLC elections and fulfill the hopes of the graduates and teachers."
"On February 27, a match is happening. BJP is Team India. They (Congress) are Team Pakistan. The voters should think about this. If you vote for us, Team India, we will win. If you want Team Pakistan to win, vote for them. Think about who will fulfil your dreams and then vote. In the political match on 27th February, the people should give a chance to BJP and defeat Congress," he said.
With the BRS opting out of the contest, the upcoming February 27 election is shaping up as a direct showdown between Congress and BJP.
Congress has fielded V Narender Reddy, a prominent educationist from Karimnagar, while BJP has nominated industrialist C Anji Reddy. The election holds high stakes for both parties— a Congress win would reaffirm public trust in its 14-month rule, whereas a BJP victory would further cement its growing influence in north Telangana, a region where it made significant gains in the last Lok Sabha elections.
Currently, the seat is held by Congress veteran and former minister T. Jeevan Reddy.