Archive · 16 Aug 2026
PCC chief calls Modi photo ration card demand politically motivated
In the Indian state of Telangana, political groups often disagree about how to help poor people.
The BJP, a big political party, wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi's picture to be printed on special cards called smart ration cards.
Poor families use these cards to get food and other important things.
A Congress leader named Mahesh Kumar Goud thinks this idea is a trick.
He says the BJP is only doing this to get attention, not to help people.
He also says the previous Telangana government did not give poor people new ration cards for ten years.
Mr. Goud says the Congress government now wants to make sure poor people really get their benefits through these smart cards.
He thinks the BJP should instead focus on what the central government promised Telangana.
He also told people about an upcoming Congress meeting in Sangareddy.
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud termed the BJP's demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo on smart ration cards politically motivated and lacking public interest.
Goud alleged that the BRS government failed to issue even a single new ration card to eligible poor people during its 10-year rule.
He questioned why BJP leaders, who remained silent on the issue during the previous government's tenure, are now demanding the PM's photograph on ration cards.
The PCC chief advised BJP leaders to pressure the Centre to implement the promises made to Telangana under the Reorganisation Act instead of focusing on trivial issues.
He said smart ration cards will deliver essential commodities and welfare benefits to eligible beneficiaries, and announced an upcoming Congress public meeting in Sangareddy under Jagga Reddy.
- Who
- B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), and BJP leaders demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo on smart ration cards.
- What
- The TPCC chief criticized the BJP's demand to print PM Modi's photograph on smart ration cards, calling it politically motivated and lacking public interest.
- When
- On Saturday, when Mahesh Goud spoke to the media in Sangareddy.
- Where
- Sangareddy, Telangana (with remarks referencing Hyderabad and the state of Telangana).
- Why
- Goud said the demand is politically motivated rather than in the public interest, and alleged the BRS government failed to issue new ration cards to the poor during its 10-year rule.
Congress (TPCC)
BJP
PM photo on smart ration cards
Congress (TPCC)
The demand is politically motivated and lacks public interest; BJP leaders stayed silent on the issue during the previous government's tenure.
BJP
BJP demands the Prime Minister's photograph be printed on smart ration cards and threatens to launch an agitation if it is missing.
State priorities
Congress (TPCC)
BJP should stop focusing on trivial issues and instead pressure the Centre to implement Reorganisation Act promises made to Telangana.
BJP
Per Congress's allegations, the BJP gives greater priority to its political campaign than to the interests of the State.
- Speaker
- B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, TPCC president
- Target of criticism
- BJP's demand for PM Narendra Modi's photo on smart ration cards
- Main allegation
- BRS government issued no new ration cards to eligible poor during its 10-year rule
- Key demand of Congress
- BJP should push Centre to implement Reorganisation Act promises to Telangana
- Ration card purpose
- Deliver essential commodities and welfare scheme benefits to eligible beneficiaries
- Upcoming event
- Congress public meeting in Sangareddy under T Jayaprakash Reddy (Jagga Reddy)
- Location
- Sangareddy, Telangana