A viral video shows two women in burqas alleging that each person in the group got Rs 300 to show up at the event
NEW DELHI — A video making the rounds on social media on Monday has kicked up dust over crowd turnout at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad in Telangana, on Sunday. The clip shows a group of Muslim attendees claiming they were brought in from Uttar Pradesh — and paid — to fill seats at the event.
The rally, hosted by the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Parade Grounds, pulled in a packed house of BJP workers and supporters. But it’s the behind-the-scenes chatter that’s now grabbing attention.
In footage reportedly shot by a journalist with Shama News, about 20 individuals — identified as Muslims from Uttar Pradesh — talk openly about why they’re there. Two women in burqas allege that each person in the group got Rs 300 to show up. They also say the entire contingent was put up in Nacharam, the fast-growing residential-industrial pocket in East Hyderabad.
So far, the video’s claims are unverified, but it’s already fuelling heated debate online about rally mobilisation and paid crowds.
A man identified as Raushan, who introduced himself as the group’s leader, is heard in the video corroborating the claim, saying that all members of the group were paid the same amount to participate in the gathering.
The authenticity of the video and the claims made by those featured in it could not be independently verified at the time of publication. There has been no official response from the BJP regarding the allegations.
The rally itself was part of the BJP’s outreach efforts in Telangana, where the party is seeking to expand its political footprint.
Addressing party workers, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the BJP would come to power in the state, asserting that people were disillusioned with what he described as the unfulfilled promises and “dynastic politics” of both the Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Modi also referred to the party’s recent electoral success in West Bengal, stating that the victory had energised BJP cadres across the country, including in Telangana.
The video has since sparked debate online, with opposition voices questioning the methods used to gather crowds, while supporters have called for verification before drawing any conclusions.
