New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday strongly criticised the Congress party following remarks made by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, in which he stated, “Congress means Muslims and Muslims means Congress.” The BJP described these comments as an “open admission” by the Congress that it prioritises minority considerations over the Indian Constitution, alleging that the party operates with a Jinnahwadi mindset, placing religious considerations above national interests.

The controversy unfolded during a rally for the Jubilee Hills Assembly bypoll in Hyderabad, where Revanth Reddy, addressing supporters, sought to counter criticism from Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy regarding the recent induction of former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin into the Telangana Council of Ministers. Revanth Reddy highlighted the Congress’s record of elevating minority leaders to prominent positions in government, asserting that it is a party that provides leadership opportunities to members of minority communities. “Congress means Muslims and Muslims means Congress,” he remarked, underscoring his belief that the Congress party continues to align itself closely with Muslim voters.

Reacting to these remarks, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla issued a statement condemning the Congress and asserting that the party had, through Revanth Reddy’s words, publicly revealed its priorities. “Revanth Reddy has made an open admission of what we know for a very long time,” Poonawalla said. “This is not the Indian National Congress (INC), this is the JWC — Jinnahwadi Congress. Today, it has been openly admitted.”

Poonawalla’s comments referenced Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and drew a direct parallel between the Congress’s alleged communal politics and Jinnah’s legacy. According to the BJP spokesperson, the Congress continues to prioritise minority interests and religious considerations, specifically citing the party’s stance on Sharia and vote-bank politics, over constitutional principles and national interest.

“This is the true face of the Congress,” Poonawalla said. “It is actually only catering to its vote bank. It puts vote-bank considerations and Sharia above the Constitution.” He further accused the Congress of using religious identity as a political tool to consolidate support among Muslim voters while simultaneously undermining the rights of other communities. “This is the mindset because of which the Congress wants to cut the reservation for OBCs, SCs, and STs and give it to its favourite vote bank. It has done this in Karnataka and Telangana,” he added.

The remarks come at a politically sensitive time in Telangana, where by-elections are being closely watched as a bellwether for the upcoming state assembly elections. Revanth Reddy’s comments, while intended to highlight the Congress’s record on minority representation, quickly drew criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, which accused him of revealing a deeper communal bias within the Congress.

The BJP’s narrative frames the Congress as a party that has consistently prioritised minority appeasement over national interests. Poonawalla stressed that the party’s political strategy revolves around cultivating a specific vote bank rather than focusing on inclusive governance or adhering to constitutional principles. He pointed to historical and recent examples where the Congress has allegedly altered reservation policies or extended benefits in ways that favour specific religious communities, particularly Muslims, over others.

While the BJP has sought to nationalise the debate, Revanth Reddy defended his remarks as a statement of fact, asserting that the Congress has historically elevated minority leaders to positions of influence within the party and in government. By citing the induction of Mohammad Azharuddin into the Council of Ministers in Telangana, Reddy aimed to underline the Congress’s commitment to representation and inclusion for communities that have historically been underrepresented in political decision-making.

Political analysts note that the exchange highlights the delicate balance between identity politics and governance in India. Revanth Reddy’s remarks, while intended to celebrate minority inclusion, became politically contentious because of the BJP’s narrative framing them as evidence of communal bias. “In today’s hyper-politicised environment, statements about community representation can quickly be leveraged by opposition parties to stoke communal tensions and mobilise electoral support,” said a political commentator familiar with Telangana politics.

The BJP’s attack also reflects the party’s broader strategy of portraying the Congress as a vote-bank-oriented party that prioritises religious and community interests over national priorities. By invoking the term “Jinnahwadi,” the BJP is linking the Congress to the legacy of Pakistan’s founder, aiming to position the party as ideologically aligned with a separatist and religious agenda, rather than committed to inclusive development under the Indian Constitution.

Observers point out that such rhetoric can polarise public discourse, particularly in regions with a history of communal sensitivities. Telangana, like many other states in India, has a diverse population, and electoral outcomes are often influenced by considerations of caste, religion, and community identity. Revanth Reddy’s remarks, and the BJP’s subsequent response, are likely to play a significant role in shaping political narratives ahead of upcoming elections.

The Congress, meanwhile, has largely refrained from directly responding to the BJP’s accusations, focusing instead on defending its policies and record of minority inclusion. Party leaders argue that elevating leaders from historically underrepresented communities is consistent with India’s constitutional principles and democratic ethos. They contend that accusations of communal bias are politically motivated attempts to misrepresent efforts to ensure fair representation.

Nevertheless, the debate sparked by Revanth Reddy’s statement underscores the enduring tension between identity politics and governance in Indian politics. The BJP’s framing of the Congress as prioritising religious identity over constitutional principles is likely to resonate with certain voter segments, while the Congress’s focus on representation and inclusion continues to appeal to communities seeking greater political participation and leadership opportunities.

As Telangana prepares for the Jubilee Hills bypoll and subsequent state assembly elections, the controversy over Revanth Reddy’s remarks and the BJP’s response is expected to remain a significant talking point. Analysts suggest that both parties will continue to use the issue to consolidate their respective voter bases, with the Congress highlighting its commitment to minority representation and the BJP portraying the party as ideologically aligned with separatist tendencies and communal politics.

In conclusion, the exchange between Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the BJP over the statement “Congress means Muslims and Muslims means Congress” has intensified the political discourse around identity, representation, and governance in India. While the Congress positions itself as a party promoting inclusion and minority representation, the BJP has seized upon the statement to assert that the party operates with a communal and vote-bank-centric agenda, labeling it “Jinnahwadi.” The debate highlights the complex interplay of community, politics, and constitutional principles in contemporary Indian electoral politics, particularly in states like Telangana where identity considerations significantly influence voter behaviour.