Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Sparks Row, Demands PM Modi Clarify Rafale Jet Losses in Operation Sindoor
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s recent remarks questioning the effectiveness of India’s Operation Sindoor and the downing of Rafale fighter jets by Pakistan have triggered political controversy.
Addressing a rally in Hyderabad on Thursday, Reddy challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify for 140 crore Indians how many Rafale jets were lost during the conflict.
The BJP reacted sharply to the comments made during the ‘Jai Hind’ rally, slamming the Congress for allegedly undermining the armed forces.
The party advised Revanth Reddy to “stick to Miss World photo ops” and not meddle in issues concerning national security.
Revanth Questions Modi’s Actions on War Strategy
During the rally, Revanth Reddy questioned why PM Modi had not convened an all-party meeting before ending hostilities with Pakistan, as he had done before initiating the conflict.
He accused Modi of failing to fulfill the people’s expectations by not separating Balochistan from Pakistan and not reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“The soldiers of this (Secunderabad) Cantonment participated in the war. The war planes being manufactured in Telangana upheld respect for our country. Rafale aircraft brought by Narendra Modi were shot down by Pakistan.
There is no discussion on how many Rafales were shot down. Narendra Modi should answer how many Rafale aircraft were shot down by Pakistan during the recent war. You give us the account,” Reddy was quoted as saying by PTI.
He further alleged that contracts worth thousands of crores were handed to Modi’s associates for the purchase of Rafale aircraft.
Allegations of Betraying Armed Forces
Reddy recalled that Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Meenakshi Natarajan, had extended full support to the NDA government on national security issues, saying politics should be set aside in such matters.
He criticized the abrupt end to the conflict, referring to former US President Donald Trump’s claims of having influenced India’s decision.
“After four days of war, we do not know who threatened whom and who succumbed to whom. All of a sudden, US President Donald Trump came out and said he threatened India and stopped the war,” he said.
He also accused China of occupying 4,000 sq km of Indian territory without facing a strong response from the Indian government.
Historical Comparison with Indira Gandhi
Revanth drew a comparison with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s firm stance during international conflicts.
He said Gandhi had defeated China in 1967 and created Bangladesh by separating it from Pakistan in 1971, despite facing threats from the US government.
BJP’s Retaliation: Accusations of Anti-India Stand
The BJP responded fiercely. Telangana BJP claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that Revanth Reddy’s remarks echoed Pakistan’s position on defence matters.
The party alleged that Reddy referred to Pakistan as “Mana Pakistan” (Our Pakistan), suggesting alignment with a hostile narrative.
“From questioning Surgical Strikes and Balakot to mocking our armed forces and opposing Agnipath — standing against India is in Congress’s DNA,” the BJP stated. “Stick to Miss World photo ops, Revanth. National security isn’t your ramp. When the nation wins, Congress sulks.”
Kishan Reddy Slams Congress, Backs Armed Forces
Union Minister of Coal and Mines and Telangana BJP president G. Kishan Reddy held a press conference on Friday, accusing Revanth Reddy and Rahul Gandhi of demoralizing the armed forces and spreading “falsehoods” about Operation Sindoor.
He stated, “Mr. Revanth Reddy has been copying Mr. Gandhi in turning national security into a political mockery. Such petty politics is a risk to India’s diplomatic gains and national interests.”
Kishan Reddy said while the entire nation was united behind the armed forces, Congress leaders were instead questioning how many Rafales were lost, rather than saluting the soldiers.
He defended PM Modi’s record, citing firm responses through surgical and air strikes and empowering the armed forces unlike previous Congress governments. He also claimed Congress’s repeated losses in state elections were due to their “negative narrative.”
No Merger with BRS, Says BJP
Addressing speculation, the BJP dismissed any plans of merging with BRS. Kishan Reddy said BRS had no relevance or future, labelling it a private company with zero credibility.
“The BRS is a private company with zero credibility so there is no question of merger as it neither has relevance nor any future,” he said.
Separate Press Briefings Condemn Remarks
Rajya Sabha MP K. Laxman and BJP legislature party leader A. Maheshwar Reddy issued statements condemning the chief minister’s criticism of the armed forces and Centre’s actions.
In a separate media interaction, Medak MP M. Raghunandan Rao called for action against ‘paid’ social media content targeting political opponents, as alleged by BRS MLC K. Kavitha.
He also dismissed merger talk, pointing out BRS’s failure to win in Assembly, Parliamentary, or MLC elections. “People have given VRS to BRS once it changed from TRS,” he said, adding that BJP is gaining ground at Congress’s expense.
Rao added that though the Centre has sanctioned significant funds for Telangana’s infrastructure, the Congress government has delayed progress by failing to release matching grants.
