There was a stunned silence in the BJP over the sudden decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the three farm bills. Top BJP leaders of Telangana, state president Bandi Sanjay and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, who were in an internal meeting with the RSS top brass, were shocked to know about the PM’s announcement. They rechecked and confirmed about the repeal of the three farm laws.

Once it became clear that the farm laws were indeed repealed, they fell silent. No major leader visited the state party office on Friday. No one was available at the party office to answer the media queries. Leaders like Eatala Rajender and Raghunandan remained confined to their residences and refused to meet the media. KIshan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay and Premender Reddy were busy in the RSS meet held on the outskirts of the city.

Meanwhile, internal sources said that there were strict instructions from New Delhi to the state unit not to react to the development. The state leadership was reportedly told to remain silent. As a result, all the spokespersons remained unavailable to comment on the development. The state party office, which was a beehive of activity, has suddenly fallen silent. Except for a few employees, no major leader visited the office.

There is utter confusion in the party over Modi’s sudden announcement. For many party leaders, who till recently defended the bills, it was a shock. Many leaders were wondering as to why Modi, who never rescinded any decision so far, has taken back the three farm laws.