Ever since the Pahalgam terror attack, Asaduddin Owaisi has emerged as a voice the nation is watching more closely — and unusually, approvingly. Known for taking sharp, often uncomfortable positions, Owaisi’s post-Operation Sindoor remarks have found unexpected resonance, even among those who usually line up to slam him. The Hyderabad MP didn’t hold back. He called out Pakistan in the bluntest terms — labelling it an anti-Islamic country and calling them “officially beggars.” No qualifiers, no diplomatic cushioning. For many in Hyderabad, this side of Owaisi is familiar — the firebrand who doesn’t mince words, speaks for his people, but doesn’t shy away from national matters. Now, the rest of the country got a glimpse. What’s striking is the response. Right-wing handles and commentators, who usually rip into Owaisi at every opportunity, suddenly found themselves sharing his clips. In a rare shift, he was not the target of their attacks — he was their accidental ally. That alone shows how his post-Sindoor stand cut through the usual noise. Whether this is a fleeting moment or a new chapter in Owaisi’s national perception remains to be seen. But for now, his words hit harder than many expected — and reached further than usual.
BRS Talks National, But Chose Silence on Sindoor
The BRS may still be nursing dreams of playing a national role, but when India truly reacted — during Operation Sindoor — KCR chose silence. This despite BRS leaders continuing to speak of national ambitions. When asked recently if the party would return to its Telangana-focused identity as TRS, KTR responded that with 37 percent of the vote, there’s no reason to limit their scope to state and lose future national opportunities. The message is clear — BRS wants to play a role beyond Telangana if not now, but in future. But when it came to Operation Sindoor, a moment when the entire country stood with the armed forces, KCR went silent. This is the same KCR who had once gave slogan that “India reacts” . Now, when India actually did react, he remained absent — no appearance, just a routine press note. BRS did not even took the lead in showing solidarity. The only visible gesture came from Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who organised a rally not under the BRS banner, but through Telangana Jagruthi. Even though KCR doesn’t want to acknowledge CM Revanth Reddy, he still chose to stay away at a time when even minimal support from former chief ministers across the country would have sent a strong message. For a party that wants to matter nationally, missing such moments speaks louder than any press note.
Compete with Global Cities, But Call Yourself Bankrupt? Mixed Signals from CM
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy wants Telangana to think big and gives slogan Telangana Rising. He’s said it himself — the goal isn’t just to compete with Amaravati, Bengaluru, or Mumbai, but to stand alongside global cities. A bold vision, no doubt. But then, in the same breath, he declares that the state is bankrupt. This contradiction is becoming hard to ignore. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy might have scored a tactical win by repeatedly declaring that the state is bankrupt — a line that helped him convince striking employees to step back, delay their demands, and accept the government’s constraints. Internally, the narrative seems to have worked. Employees backed off, the administration breathed easier, and the Congress government could claim temporary stability. But while the target audience at home may be convinced, the global audience is watching too. And they’re not impressed. Diplomats, Consulates, foreign investors, and trade envoys are listening closely — and they’re left wondering how a “bankrupt” state plans to support their ventures, ensure payments, or deliver on promises. Revanth Reddy might be trying to strike a balance between political honesty and financial reality. But if Telangana truly wants to compete with global cities, it needs global confidence. And that begins with projecting stability, not insolvency. Mixed messaging may win headlines today — but it could cost credibility tomorrow.
Revanth’s PRO Moved Out but was better than KCR’s PRO
In a move that has set tongues wagging across the Secretariat and newsrooms alike, Ayodhya Reddy — the man many hailed as the most efficient PRO Telangana has seen in years — is being quietly moved out of the Chief Minister’s Office. Ayodhya Reddy, the outgoing PRO to the Chief Minister, outperformed KCR’s pro from the BRS era. His tenure stood out for its more work, quick responses, and a hands-on approach that earned silent nods even from political rivals. Within the Information and Public Relations department, there’s genuine surprise over the decision as they have seen two terms and two CPROs. Many feel Ayodhya did a lot of work that was missing for years in BRS. During his stint, channels were kept in the loop, many stories were given to reporters, live coverages were closely monitored, and any glitch would be personally followed up. The reasons for his exit, however, remain murky. There are murmurs about a controversial land angle. Others whisper that the decision came from the top, possibly influenced by internal displeasure. A section also believes the handling of media, particularly social media narratives, didn’t go down well with certain influential quarters. No single reason is being confirmed, but the undercurrent is clear – it’s less about performance and more about politics or perception. What’s certain is that the next person to step into Ayodhya Reddy’s shoes will have a tough task ahead. Replacing someone who had even BRS quietly acknowledging his effectiveness is no small feat.
Hanmanthannana… Mazakana? Ceasefire Catches Politicos Off Guard
For nearly a week, political activity across Telangana had taken a backseat as leaders turned their attention to the war with Pakistan. Party offices went quiet, and scheduled meetings — from Congress’ Jai Bapu Jai Bheem Jai Samvidhan gatherings to PCC Observer-level reviews — were abruptly postponed. The Congress had asked its cadre to halt all programmes until May 11, focusing solely on expressing solidarity with the Indian Army. In the meantime, politicians tried to stay visible through symbolic gestures. V Hanumantha Rao took out a rally in support of the armed forces, while Union Minister G Kishan Reddy performed a pooja at Bashir Bagh temple, praying for India’s victory. But just as these efforts gathered steam, came the announcement that the two nations had agreed to an immediate ceasefire — following American President Donald Trump’s mediation. That’s when a seasoned journalist cracked the now-viral wisecrack: “Hanmanthannana… Mazakana?” A tongue-in-cheek dig at how political grandstanding was suddenly rendered obsolete. Some leaders were even seen sulking, worried their poojas and rallies would miss the newspaper headlines with the war winding up too soon.With normalcy returning and the ceasefire holding, political offices are now preparing to bounce back into full action mode from May 11. But for now, the rally-versus-reality gap has become the latest political punchline in town.
(With inputs from Naveena Ghanate and Kolishetty Venkateshwarlu)
