Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statue in Secunderabad as part of Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations.

Hyderabad: The city is preparing for a historic moment as Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits Secunderabad on Tuesday, September 17, to unveil a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The statue will be installed at Picket Public Garden in Secunderabad Cantonment, marking the first time a senior BJP leader’s statue is being inaugurated in Hyderabad.

The programme coincides with Hyderabad Liberation Day, observed annually by the BJP to commemorate the city’s integration into the Indian Union in 1948. Singh will first review the Hyderabad Liberation Day parade at the Secunderabad Parade Grounds at 9 am, followed by the unveiling of Vajpayee’s statue at 11:45 am.

Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao confirmed that the Centre, through the Union Ministry of Culture, is overseeing the celebrations. The event will also include a photo exhibition showcasing Telangana’s freedom struggle and the sacrifices of its fighters.

Several Union ministers and leaders from Maharashtra are expected to join the celebrations. Senior BJP leaders in Telangana, including G Kishan Reddy, Bangaru Shruthi, Kasam Venkateshwarlu, and Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, are actively coordinating preparations.

Analysis:
For the BJP, this event is not just about honouring Vajpayee but also about reinforcing the demand for formal recognition of Hyderabad Liberation Day by the state. For citizens, the unveiling of the statue adds a new landmark to Secunderabad while symbolising the city’s evolving political landscape.