Gosha Mahal MLA T Raja Singh, often a gadfly for the BJP, nearly raised a banner of revolt against the party’s state leadership over the appointment of T Uma Mahendra as the new president of the Gosha Mahal-Golconda unit.
Published Feb 15, 2025 | 9:37 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 15, 2025 | 9:41 AM
T Raja Singh. (X)
Synopsis: Trouble brewed within the BJP Telangana unit as Gosha Mahal MLA T Raja Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment of T Uma Mahendra as Gosha Mahal-Golconda unit president. Singh demanded a replacement with an SC or BC leader, threatening to quit. Dissent also emerged over other district president appointments, reflecting growing internal unrest within the party.
At a time when the air is thick with expectation that the president for the BJP state unit would be announced anytime, trouble began brewing internally in the BJP state unit.
Gosha Mahal MLA T Raja Singh, often a gadfly for the BJP, raised a banner of revolt against the party’s state leadership over the appointment of T Uma Mahendra as the new president of the Gosha Mahal-Golconda unit.
Raja Singh was deeply unhappy with the appointment and reportedly gave Union Minister and state party president G Kishan Reddy an ultimatum: replace Uma Mahendra with an SC or BC leader within two days, or he would quit the party.
Dissidence over the appointment of district unit presidents is no secret in the BJP. There have been whispers and occasional loud protests over the choices made. However, none were as vocal as Raja Singh. He expressed doubts about whether the party even needed him.
“Golconda is part of my Gosha Mahal constituency. I suggested a name for the Golconda unit president, but someone else, who associates himself with AIMIM leaders, was appointed,” Raja Singh said in a video statement. He hinted at quitting the BJP, saying, “Let’s see what happens in the future. I will show my strength to the party leadership.”
Raja Singh’s outbursts are not uncommon. His unilateral decisions and extreme brand of Hindutva ideology, which often deviates from the BJP’s official stance, have landed the party in trouble in the past.
His latest comments about charting his own course outside the party have caused a stir, especially as the BJP is in the process of selecting a new state president. The new leader will need to unify the district units and help the party capture power in the next Assembly elections.
Since the BJP began announcing new district unit presidents, dissenting voices have emerged in several districts. Of the 29 districts, the BJP announced presidents for 19 on February 3 and four more on February 13. The appointment of T Uma Mahendra for the Gosha Mahal-Golconda unit upset Raja Singh, as his preferred candidate was overlooked.
The BJP, once known for its discipline, now resembles other parties, with leaders openly expressing dissent. In Sangareddy, discontent simmers over the appointment of C Godavari, wife of C Anji Reddy, the party’s nominee for the MLC graduates’ constituency election on 27 February.
Opponents argue that this unfairly benefits one family while sidelining others. Similar unrest has been reported in Nalgonda, Peddapally, and Mancherial.
Party leaders believe the leadership must adopt a careful approach to select a state president acceptable to all—a challenging task that has delayed the announcement. While the dissent remains contained for now, it could spiral out of control unless national leaders intervene in time.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
