A year and a half into Revanth Reddy's tenure, a general sense of disillusionment is starting to emerge among the public. While there is no clear shift toward either approval or disapproval, signs of dissatisfaction and disappointment are evident.
Published Jul 21, 2025 | 11:53 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 21, 2025 | 11:53 AM
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy
Synopsis: It is true that political leaders should not overly concern themselves with slander from the opposition and hostile media. But when such slander gains traction and finds support in real developments, caution becomes necessary. Having ambition is not wrong – anyone can stay in power if circumstances are favourable – but declarations alone will not suffice. One must also work to earn that tenure and prepare for the next electoral term. As of now, there is little indication that Revanth is focusing seriously in that direction.
It seems Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is drawing inspiration from his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah. Though he was originally meant to share a five-year term with DK Shivakumar in Karnataka, Siddaramiah began declaring that he would serve the full term even before completing a year in office.
With pending cases against Shivakumar and the Union government keeping a close watch, and Siddaramaiah enjoying solid legislative support amid a weakened party high command, he is continuing in office confidently. Shivakumar appears to have accepted the situation.
But Revanth’s case is different. His position depends heavily on the goodwill of the Congress high command. The Telangana Congress is filled with strong leaders like Bhatti Vikramarka, Uttam Kumar Reddy, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, among others.
While none may have absolute dominance, many of them can cause trouble for him. Unlike Siddaramaiah, Revanth Reddy has not yet gained enough popularity or stature. Moreover, reports suggest the high command is not entirely pleased with his performance.
In that context, his statement claiming he would remain as the Chief Minister for 10 years seems less like confidence and more like defiance – or perhaps even recklessness.
Revanth Reddy’s show of self-assurance at the Kollapur public meeting did not evoke the same level of response from his own party as it did from the opposition.
Only MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy cautioned against making light of the party high command. Some MLAs too expressed disapproval of Revanth’s declaration.
Having ambition is not wrong – anyone can stay in power if circumstances are favourable – but declarations alone will not suffice. One must also work to earn that tenure and prepare for the next electoral term. As of now, there is little indication that Revanth is focusing seriously in that direction.
A year and a half into his tenure, a general sense of disillusionment is starting to emerge among the public. While there is no clear shift toward either approval or disapproval, signs of dissatisfaction and disappointment are evident.
Not everything that should have happened has happened, and even ongoing initiatives are struggling. However, not all of these failures stem solely from Revanth’s incompetence.
The state’s financial situation has not been favourable. Attempts to overcome these hurdles often appear hasty and impractical. Many pre-election promises are being only partially fulfilled. There is little scope for launching fresh, popular welfare programmes.
As public dissatisfaction grows, state agencies are reacting with high-handedness. Even a mildly critical tweet can result in weeks of imprisonment. These weaknesses and repressive tactics are becoming advantages for the opposition BRS.
While many BRS MLAs had defected to the ruling party, leading to assumptions about the party’s decline, Revanth’s administrative and political missteps seem to have yielded the opposite effect – invigorating the BRS.
Even though inquiry into the Kaleswaram irrigation project and phone-tapping investigations are staring it in the face, the BRS is managing to attack the government aggressively. It is succeeding in pushing the narrative that Revanth Reddy is pursuing policies harmful to Telangana’s interests and its public sentiment.
In this context, Revanth’s rhetoric comes across as helplessness disguised as aggression. His sensational and controversial statements, along with personal attacks on opposition leaders, appear to be more of a distraction tactic than a strategy.
In the Banakacharla irrigation dispute, the backlash he faced prompted him to shift public focus through his Kollapur speech on Friday. The BRS’ criticism – that Revanth was being subservient to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister – seems to have had an impact.
In response, Revanth “requested” Chandrababu Naidu not to obstruct Palamuru projects. While the opposition media painted it as begging or pleading, what Revanth offered was a polite appeal, accompanied by a mild warning that protests would follow if the requests were ignored. This is not the first time he has “warned” Naidu in such soft terms.
Someone among his advisors (if he has any) must remind Revanth Reddy that it is difficult to erase public perceptions once they are set. If he wants people to believe that he is acting in Telangana’s interest in the Banakacharla case, he must adopt a firm and consistent stance.
Merely countering criticisms with “KTR met Lokesh too!” kind of tit-for-tat arguments seems immature.
Chandrababu Naidu is like Donald Trump in this regard. Even if India claims that it had declared ceasefire after Pakistan went on its knees, Trump insists he brokered peace between both parties. In a similar tone, even as Revanth claims the Banakacharla issue was not discussed, an AP minister asserts otherwise.
Knowing well that sentiments like “two eyes” and united Andhra still resonate with sections of Telangana, Naidu projects himself as a champion of both Telugu states – putting Revanth in a tight spot. Naidu shows no hesitation in politically embarrassing his former ally.
Although this may not immediately sway public opinion against Revanth Reddy, it could be a significant element in shaping future voter sentiment. The seed has already been sown. If not addressed now, this impression may grow strong and become a serious liability by the time elections arrive.
It is true that political leaders should not overly concern themselves with slander from the opposition and hostile media. But when such slander gains traction and finds support in real developments, caution becomes necessary.
Sometimes the question is not whether something is true or false – but whether people believe it or not.
There is already a growing perception about Revanth’s ties with the BJP or the Union government. His frequent meetings with central leaders, and their quick willingness to grant him audiences, have triggered speculation.
More importantly, the BJP seems unusually soft on Revanth within Telangana. In contrast, their attacks continue to target the BRS. The central government has the capacity to trouble a Congress chief minister who operates amid multiple internal power centres.
Why have they not done that with Revanth? Is it because Chandrababu is now part of the BJP-led NDA? These are the questions that are being asked.
While Revanth sometimes targets the BJP, the saffron party’s major criticism is still aimed at the BRS. The only substantial jab against Revanth so far has been from Union Minister Kishan Reddy: “Chandrababu came with a plan for Godavari water. You’ve been chief minister for six months longer – what have you done about Godavari?”
It’s a valid question. In these two years, apart from the Musi Project and the “Fourth Metro City” concept, why has there been little movement on major water projects? Even if they strain state budgets, infrastructure projects are cash cows for political parties and leaders.
Yet Revanth has shown little initiative here. Even if the governments are different in both states, the construction contractors are the same. If only Revanth Reddy came up with a Banakacharla-type project, it would have been acceptable to BRS too. After all, all parties love the same contractors!
This leads to another question Telangana loyalists are asking: why is Revanth so “courteous” with Chandrababu, yet so aggressive with KCR? Revanth claims he wants to be chief minister for 10 years, and that his work should make KCR envious.
While political rivals being envious of your achievements is desirable, why should his words carry such hatred? Why the constant reference to KCR’s hospitalisation and the comments that he might “pass away”?
While targeting one’s political adversaries, regardless of how much one hates him, certain forms of expression are not acceptable in civil discourse.
It is not just about abusive language – hostility itself is unwelcome. KCR is not just a former chief minister but a movement leader and the first Chief Minister of Telangana. He should be respected. Criticise him as a political leader, but do it with civility even when you want to be very hard on him.
Since the formation of Telangana, political discourse has slowly lost its civility. It has worsened since the Congress came to power. Today’s politics has become a competition of crude speech. Ministers and MLAs who once spoke with grace now adopt a new, harsher style.
It is unfortunate that chief ministers must constantly clarify what they call truths by taking oaths – and worse, opposition leaders should drag grandchildren into political mudslinging, asking their rivals to take oath on them.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
