Hyderabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday led the BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ padayatra in Hyderabad, intensifying the party’s campaign against the Congress over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The march began at the Babu Jagjivan Ram statue in Basheerbagh and concluded at Mozamjahi Market, where Shah addressed party workers and supporters. Before the rally, he visited the Bhagyalakshmi Temple near Charminar and offered special prayers. Senior BJP leaders, including Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay, Telangana BJP president N. Ramchandra Rao, and senior leader Eatala Rajender, joined the event amid heavy security arrangements.

Addressing the gathering, Shah launched a series of attacks on the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi and the Telangana government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. He questioned the Congress party’s repeated criticism of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), asking how the party had formed governments in states such as Telangana, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh if the machines were unreliable. Shah also accused the Congress of corruption during its years in power and claimed the party lacked the strength to challenge the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking a political swipe at Rahul Gandhi, he remarked that the Congress leader would never become Prime Minister in the real Parliament, while also describing the Congress as a party “on a ventilator.”

During his speech, Shah also referred to Hyderabad’s history, stating that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s actions ensured the integration of the former Hyderabad State into India. Meanwhile, BJP supporters displayed posters mocking Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, adding to the political atmosphere surrounding the rally. The padayatra attracted a large number of party workers carrying saffron flags, while security remained tight throughout the route. The event forms part of the BJP’s ongoing political outreach in Telangana as the party seeks to strengthen its presence in the state and counter the Congress government’s narrative on key political issues.