Why Telangana Talli, the unifying symbol of state's pride, is caught in a political divide

After exhorting government employees last month to adopt strict austerity measures, including switching off air-conditioners and lights in the state secretariat, Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy opted for an extravaganza to mark the completion of a year in office. In a fitting finale, Reddy, on December 9, unveiled a statue of the mythical Telugu Talli, or Telangana Talli, in the courtyard of the secretariat as an “embodiment of the self-respect and existence of the people of Telangana”. Such thinking exposes the mindset of the feudal lords of the medieval times.” Significantly, after removing KCR’s Telugu Talli outside, the Congress government put up a statue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in front of the secretariat. On unveiling the new Telugu Talli statue in the secretariat, Reddy reiterated his government’s commitment to people’s aspirations. And to counter the Congress government’s installation, he unveiled the version of the Telugu Talli approved by the BRS government at a party office in Qutbullapur, Greater Hyderabad.