Published Mar 29, 2026 | 8:25 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 29, 2026 | 8:25 PM
BRS working president KT Rama Rao. Credit: x.com/BRSparty
Synopsis: BRS Working President KT Rama Rao launched a broadside against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and his government, saying efforts were on to protect Raghava Constructions, reportedly linked to Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy. He also accused the ruling Congress of having a tacit understanding with the BJP.
Political tensions in Telangana shot up on Sunday, 29 March, as BRS Working President KT Rama Rao launched a scathing attack on the Congress government at Gun Park in front of the Assembly, after he and several party MLAs were suspended from the business of the House for two days.
Addressing the media, KTR alleged that the government was “shocked into silence” until corruption allegations involving a minister’s family were brought into the public domain. He questioned why no action had been initiated against the minister, suggesting that the Chief Minister’s alleged links to the issue were the reason for inaction.
KTR claimed that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy admitted that irregularities had taken place, but was attempting to downplay the controversy by stating that Raghava Constructions belonged to distant relatives of Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.
He further alleged that Ponguleti had served as the firm’s Chairman between 2020 and 2022 and accused the Chief Minister of favouring the company by awarding contracts in projects such as the Kodangal Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The BRS leader also targeted the government’s performance, claiming that in the last two-and-a-half years, it had failed to complete even a single project of tangible benefit to the public. He accused the government of shielding the minister’s family and demanded immediate action.
Raising concerns over mining revenues, KTR alleged a massive discrepancy, stating that while ₹1,800 crore was expected, only about ₹900 crore was being realised.
“Where is the remaining money going?” he asked, hinting at large-scale corruption.
KTR also made specific allegations regarding Bhagyalakshmi Mining at Kokapet, claiming links to relatives of the Chief Minister. “If there is no corruption worth thousands of crores, why is the Assembly being adjourned?” he questioned.
The BRS leader further accused the ruling Congress of working hand in glove with the BJP, alleging that both parties were acting in coordination. He warned that the BRS would not remain silent on issues such as alleged land encroachments, claiming that private lands were being forcibly occupied.
On infrastructure, KTR criticised the government’s statements on the Hyderabad Metro, calling them “misleading and inaccurate.” He alleged that the Chief Minister was presenting incorrect figures in the Assembly and raised concerns over decisions related to land allotment to Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
He claimed that 280 acres had been leased to L&T and alleged a conspiracy to take over the land. KTR also accused the government of intimidating the company’s Chief Financial Officer with threats of imprisonment, calling the entire episode a “major scam.”
Warning of further intensification of agitation, KTR said the BRS would approach the Governor if the government failed to act on its complaints. “We will formally submit a complaint to the Governor,” he said.
The remarks came in the backdrop of Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar suspending several BRS members from the Telangana Legislative Assembly for two days.
The Speaker cited disruption of proceedings and obstruction of Budget discussions as the reason for the suspending the Opposition MLAs. However, BRS leaders alleged that the suspensions were politically motivated and intended to silence the opposition’s voice on corruption.
The suspended members included KTR, T Harish Rao, G Jagadish Reddy, Gangula Kamalakar, Padi Kaushik Reddy, Madhavaram Krishna Rao, Sabitha Indra Reddy, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, and Vemula Prashanth Reddy, among others.
The Opposition has been demanding the constitution of a House Committee to probe the alleged irregularities by Raghava Constructions, a demand the Speaker rejected, further fuelling the standoff.
With both sides refusing to relent, the Assembly turned into a battleground, with the BRS intensifying its offensive and the Congress government insisting on uninterrupted legislative business.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
