BJP will accord priority to develop Telangana tribal hamlets if voted to power: Bandi Sanjay

He said a temple would be built in Banjara Hills in the name of spiritualist and social reformer Sevalal Maharaj and developed as a shrine.

BySouth First Desk

Published Feb 15, 2023 | 7:02 PMUpdatedFeb 15, 2023 | 7:03 PM

Bandi Sanjay made promises to the tribal communities of Telangana. (Twitter)

Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday, 15 February, assured people that if the BJP was voted to power in the state, a special development corporation would be set up for the comprehensive development of tribal hamlets.

He said that a temple would be constructed in Banjara Hills in the name of spiritualist and social reformer Sevalal Maharaj — revered by the Banjara and Lambada communities — and that it would be developed as a shrine.

He paid tribute to Sevalal Maharaj in connection with his birth anniversary celebrations organised at the party’s state office in Nampally.

According to Bandi Sanjay, Sevalal Maharaj was the epitome of the Banjara tribe, which is characterised by its traditions, customs, distinctive clothing, and jewellery.

He stated that Sevalal Maharaj was a great man who led the Banjara community, which faced many difficulties due to the religious propaganda of both the British and Muslim rulers, on the right path with his religious teachings.

He highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi elevated eight MPs from tribal communities to Union ministers, while an Adivasi woman was made the president in his tenure.

Against the chief minister

He charged that in Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was cheating the tribals.

KCR did not attend the celebration of the birth anniversaries of Sevalal Maharaj, BR Ambedkar, and freedom fighter Jagjivan Ram, he alleged.

Bandi Sanjay stated that tribals in several hamlets were struggling to get drinking water, and added that the BRS government’s flagship programme — Mission Bhagiratha — had failed to resolve the water woes in many hamlets.

He said KCR derived publicity after turning these hamlets into gram panchayats, but failed to allocate sufficient funds for these hamlets.

Also Read: Telangana tribals to get 10% reservation in education, government jobs

Not enough in the hamlets

Owing to the non-availability of job opportunities, youth from several hamlets were migrating to the cities in search of jobs, he said.

Lambada workers could be seen on any street in Hyderabad searching for a job, Bandi Sanjay noted.

He also claimed that most auto-rickshaw drivers in the city belonged to the Lambada community.

In spite of completing their studies, most youth from the Lambada community could be seen operating autos on a rental basis, he said.

“These youths are staying in Hyderabad for name’s sake; they are staying in miserable conditions in huts,” Bandi Sanjay added.

He said that KCR promised to implement 12-percent reservation for tribals, but deceived them by failing to fulfil it.

He also alleged that KCR was responsible for the inordinate delay in giving pattas to podu lands.