Minister Danam Nagender's alleged highhandedness on the temple premises of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in Hyderabad has been drawing criticism across the state. Political observers said that the issue might even draw criticism at the national level as the sentiments of Hindus got hurt and that too ahead of Sri Krishna Janmashtami (one of the most important festival of Hindus). The observers said Congress is already facing criticism over many issues and Danam's alleged attack on temple is is slowly taking political shades, added observers. And in case this issue attracts political leaders at the Centre, then NDA leader might take this as a good opportunity to target and bring down the UPA, said sources.

While all Hindu associations, private bodies and public, who are irked with minister and co ransacking a Hindu temple, the latest one to join the league of agitators was BJP state president Kishan Reddy. He has said that Danam Nagender allegedly behaved like a rowdy and locked up the doors of the temple after he along with his followers ransacked the temple and threw the Tulasi plants (which are worshipped by Hindus). It has to be mentioned here that even a large number of Bajrang Dal activists today arrived at the temple and raised slogans against Danam Nagender.

Addressing the media on Friday, BJP head in the state, Kishan Reddy said Danam Nagender was attacking temples in the state. He pinpointed at the act and said it was against the law and questioned as to how a responsible minister can indulge in such activity in the name of protecting Congress leaders. Also, ISKCON is presumably committed to spreading Hindu philosophy across the globe and observers opined that such a direct attack on ISKCON is likely to even attract the attention of the international media, which is apparently not good to the UPA.

It may be mentioned here that Danam Nagender even misbehaved with the police at the temple yesterday. The Banjara Hills police, who reportedly took up this issue seriously, slapped non-bailable cases against Danam Nagender. Chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is so far silent on this issue while the home minister Sabita Indra Reddy said Danam Nagender was like her brother.

Now that even BJP president in the state raised his fingers against Danam Nagender, the political observers said that this issue might be raised at the parliament by the BJP. In case something like that happens, then UPA retaining power in 2014 would turn grim since it's a matter related to the sentiments of a community, added observers. Will Congress high command ask Danam to resign and then drop him even as an MLA in 2014 elections is a million dollar question.

(AW Phani)