MLA Ramana Reddy’s absence on the ground have dented his popularity within his own constituency and allowed the Congress to step in and fill the gap. The party had earlier sent senior leaders such as MLC Vijayshanthi ahead of Revanth Reddy’s visit.
Published Sep 05, 2025 | 4:31 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 05, 2025 | 4:31 PM
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at GR Colony in Kamareddy
Synopsis: The absence of Kamareddy MLA KV Ramana Reddy from his constituency, among the worst affected in the ongoing Central Telangana floods, has given Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s visit to the district political significance. Amid local residents’ frustration at the lack of support from their own MLA, the Congress has stepped in to fill the gap.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday, 4 September, visited Kamareddy district, battered by its worst floods in decades, assuring victims of compensation, rehabilitation and a permanent roadmap to tackle recurring disasters.
His visit included a stop at the badly hit GR Colony and a review of relief operations at the Integrated District Office Complex. From there, he directed officials to expedite the process of seeking central flood relief funds and prepare a permanent action plan for flood management.
The visit has taken on political significance amid local residents’ frustration over the absence of their own MLA, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) KV Ramana Reddy, and his subsequent controversial remarks blaming the flood victims.
“I’ve never seen such destruction in my 50 years. I have the data of everyone. They say Anna I’m on top of the house, am I supposed to bring them down. Don’t vote if you don’t want,” Ramana said in a press meet on 1 September.
“Some say we have 9 voters in the house and we voted for you, so you have to wash our rears. What is this? I’ll do it if you’re bedridden, why will I do it if you’re able?”
He continued: “They thought the water wouldn’t have come up more, those who were smart left when the water started coming, there was overconfidence among the people.”
The Congress government has moved to not only assist with relief efforts but also strengthen its political presence in the district with the Chief Minister’s visit and the build-up to it.
The state government announced that special funds would be released to clear sand deposits from farmlands, while compensation would be provided for crop damage. Families of victims will receive ₹5 lakh, with financial support for those who lost livestock.
Revanth Reddy assured affected families that the government would stand by them, providing compensation, relief and rehabilitation. He also promised assistance to students in flood-hit villages through books and study material, and called on industries to extend CSR support.
The Chief Minister stressed that disaster management should go beyond politics, urging strong coordination among all departments and district collectors.
He inspected the damaged Lingampallu Kurdu bridge in Lingampet and suggested building a bridge-cum-barrage or check dam to prevent future damage. He instructed officials to enumerate losses, submit department-wise reports, and restore damaged infrastructure, including roads and irrigation projects.
At GR Colony in Kamareddy town, one of the worst-hit localities, Revanth Reddy interacted with residents and assessed the damage. He noted that immediate rescue measures had helped save many lives, even though property losses were high.
At the 2023 Assembly elections, KV Ramana had the unique privilege of defeating a sitting chief minister and a future chief minister in the Kamareddy Assembly constituency.
Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and the incumbent Chief Minister Revanth Reddy both lost to Ramana Reddy by handy margins.
But the current floods and Ramana Reddy’s absence on the ground have dented his popularity within his own constituency and allowed the Congress to step in and fill the gap. The party had earlier sent senior leaders such as MLC Vijayshanthi ahead of Revanth Reddy’s visit.
A resident of GR Colony told South First that they had not received any support from Ramana Reddy. “He did not visit us once. We didn’t even get a water packet from him,” he said, adding that he felt betrayed by the party his family has always voted for.
“He went on air to blame us for our conditions. Called us overconfident and accused us of not leaving despite the water,” another local added.
The Congress also used the occasion to criticise the BJP for its lack of response to the people, as well as Ramana Reddy’s remarks against the victims.
“What was the BJP doing while the people were suffering? The people of Telangana had elected 8 MLAs and 8 MPs from the BJP. In such a crisis, it is the responsibility of the Centre to come forward and announce compensation,” Vijayashanti said during her visit.
“The people did not elect BJP representatives to sit idle. The locals have also complained that KV Ramana Reddy had not been seen since the floods.”
During his visit, Revanth Reddy praised local leaders, including MLA Madan Mohan, for their swift relief efforts. He said Kamareddy, which witnessed its worst floods in a century, would receive special attention and funds on the lines of Kodangal constituency.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
