Published Mar 19, 2026 | 12:20 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 19, 2026 | 12:20 PM
Revanth Reddy and KT Rama Rao
Synopsis: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy defended the Musi Riverfront Project in Assembly, countering BRS’ corruption charges over land and TDR policies. He offered probes since 2014, unveiled “CURE, PURE, RARE” vision, and announced EV incentives. KTR hit back, accusing Congress of failed guarantees, corruption, neglect of farmers and youth, and misleading people with hollow promises.
Telangana government’s ambitious Musi Riverfront Project came under fire in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, 19 March, with BRS trying to take Congress dispensation to cleaners on its claims, while Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, in his reply later, defended the project as one meant for cleansing the Musi River.
In answer to BRS’ allegations of corruption in implementing the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy (HILT) TDR (Transferable Development Rights), he said he was ready to order a probe since the formation of Telangana state in 2014. It was in reply to the allegation that his government was manipulating the TDR system to benefit a few real estate brokers and developers, leading to illicit profits worth thousands of crores.
The CM, replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address, said: “I am open to ordering an inquiry into industrial land allocations from 2014 onwards (covering the BRS’ 10-year period) and TDRs. He invited the Opposition to specify the scope of such probes in writing.”
He said he was leaving the choice of the investigation agency to BRS and that he was ready to have the allegations inquired into by CBI, ED, I-T, SIT, or even an international agency.
He recalled former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao saying that there was no need for issuing notices for pulling down illegal structures in the Musi River. KTR too had announced that there were 10,000 illegal structures and the government would demolish them. He expressed disappointment over KCR’s absence during key Assembly events, including the unveiling of the Telangana Thalli statue and the Governor’s address.
Reddy said that when he is trying to cleanse the river and bring an aesthetic appeal to Hyderabad, BRS is trying to obstruct the efforts. He said he was bent on preparing Telangana for future challenges, including the emerging AI revolution. He urged the Opposition to study the “Telangana Rising 2047” vision document and contribute constructively.
The CM said the government had consulted experts across sectors to prepare the roadmap. He added that the development strategy was structured into three broad themes—CURE, PURE, and RARE—covering urban renewal, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
He also announced environmental measures, including tax exemptions for electric vehicle buyers. He said autos in designated zones would soon be retrofitted free of cost into electric vehicles. He stressed the need to restore lakes and protect the city for future generations.
In a pointed remark, the Chief Minister said that while monarchies may have vanished, a “feudal mindset” still persisted among some leaders. He stressed that in a democracy; people are the ultimate authority and elect their representatives through a transparent process.
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of accountability, alleging that the Leader of the Opposition had drawn over ₹1.06 crore in salaries and allowances since December 2023 without attending Assembly proceedings. He suggested that a decision should be taken on such practices. Despite his criticism, Revanth Reddy said he still hoped KCR would attend future sessions and participate in debates.
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao later lashed out at the CM for making a statement that lacked substance and content. He said Revanth Reddy did not speak even a single word about the six guarantees and used the Assembly as a platform to mislead the people.
“This government does not even have sincerity. For making the Governor speak blatant lies, what we must express is not appreciation, but condemnation. The Chief Minister is speaking recklessly and using cheap language,” KTR said angrily.
He criticised that the government trampled democratic values in the Assembly. “Not only on the houses of the poor, they ran a bulldozer in the Assembly as well. After ranting nonsense for two and a half hours, the shameless Chief Minister adjourned the House without giving the Opposition a chance and ran away,” he said sharply.
KTR criticised that the government has completely failed in implementing the six guarantees. “Except for free bus travel, all other guarantees have collapsed. They have abandoned the six guarantees and are now talking about ‘Cure, Pure, Rare.’ This is nothing but ‘Chor model’ and ‘420 model’ governance,” he said.
He also criticised the budget sessions. “It is unclear whether this was a budget session or a Congress history session. Apart from narrating family stories starting from Nehru, there was nothing useful for the people,” he said.
KTR alleged that the government has completely neglected the issues of farmers, unemployed youth, and the poor. “Into whose accounts was Rythu Bandhu deposited? Into farmers’ accounts or Rahul Gandhi’s account? By giving only 11,000 jobs, they have deceived the unemployed. There is not a single word on PRC for employees. Even when students in Gurukuls are dying after consuming contaminated food, there is no response,” he criticised.
Alleging massive corruption in the name of the Musi project, he said, “Why a ₹1.5 lakh crore plan for a ₹16,000 crore work? There is no DPR, no plan, no funds. This decision has been taken purely for loot.” He strongly condemned the demolition of houses of the poor. “Not even a single house has been built in two and a half years. But thousands of houses have been demolished. This is a demonic rule,” he said.
Alleging that the government’s focus is on land, he said, “If a real estate broker becomes Chief Minister, his entire focus will be on land. There are attempts to encroach upon lands of Hyderabad Central University and other institutions.”
Recalling the development done by BRS government, he said, “We developed 30,000 tanks under Mission Kakatiya. But this government is boasting after doing just three tanks.”
KTR alleged that the government is misleading people on state debt. “While the Centre says KCR incurred Rs 2.8 lakh crore debt, they are falsely claiming Rs 8 lakh crore. What was done in nine years is being done by this government in two years,” he said.
Finally, KTR asserted that they would stop this government’s loot along with the people. “If you speak with decency, we will respond with decency. But if you deceive people, fail to implement the six guarantees, and do not even mention them in the budget, we will strongly expose you. The people of Telangana are watching everything,” he warned.
He asked Revanth Reddy whether he had kept the word of hiking social pensions to Rs 4,000. “Have women received Rs 2,500? Has anyone been given a tola of gold? Have the differently-abled received Rs 6,000 pensions? You said farmers would get Rs 15,000 under Rythu Bandhu—have you given it? Then where is all this money going? Not into farmers’ accounts… it is going into Rahul Gandhi’s accounts,” he said.
He said the BRS would oppose this looting. “It is only because we are stopping this loot that he is angry. No matter how much you abuse us, we will bear it. For the people of Telangana, we will face any number of cases. Even if you send us to jail, we will go. But Revanth Reddy garu, I am telling you one thing—we will definitely stop your loot.”
He further said: “If you do not provide clarity on the six guarantees in the budget, we will not spare you. This is not your ‘Cure, Pure, Rare’—this is ‘Chor model,’ ‘420 model.’ We will expose this before the people of the state.”
