Responding to Revanth Reddy's comments about appearances, KTR said growing a beard was easy, but governance was difficult.
Published Dec 29, 2025 | 2:11 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 29, 2025 | 2:11 PM
BRS working president KT Rama Rao. Credit: x.com/BRSparty
Synopsis: BRS leader KT Rama Rao accused the Congress government of stalling the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, alleging bias to appease Chandrababu Naidu and harm Telangana’s water interests. He criticised CM Revanth Reddy’s knowledge, Assembly conduct, and diversionary probes, raised sabotage concerns over Medigadda barrage, opposed GHMC restructuring, and dismissed phone-tapping claims, insisting governance—not appearances—defines credibility.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Monday, 29 December, launched a sharp attack on the Congress government, accusing it of deliberately stalling the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheem (PRLIS) and lacking basic understanding of irrigation and water-sharing issues.
Speaking to the media on the Assembly premises, KTR said it was common practice for governments to begin irrigation projects citing drinking water needs and secure statutory approvals later, though “no one admits this openly,” in reply to the Congress allegation that the BRS had sought permission only for 7.1 tmcft for the PRLIS.
Referring to how fast the BRS had implemented Irrigation Projects when it was in power, he said: “Kaleshwaram was completed only because of KCR’s commitment. He built the project by racing against time,” KTR said, adding that attempts to find faults in the project would damage the state, not the BRS politically. “People know who provided water,” he said.
He took exception to the present government seeking clearance for a mere 45 tmcft for the PRLIS and said that it would severely harm Telangana’s interests.
On the share of 299 tmcft in Krishna waters, he said it was Congress government in the undivided state that had agreed to 299 TMCft, based on which the BRS had sought additional allocations.
Accusing Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of deliberately stalling the PRLIS, KTR said that completing it would anger TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu. “If Telangana gets more share in Krishna waters, it will upset Chandrababu Naidu. That is why the project has been stalled and even canal works are not being taken up,” he said.
KTR also accused Revanth Reddy of resorting to foul language to divert attention from alleged corruption.
“I do not respond to personal abuse. But if my father is targeted, I will not remain silent,” he said, adding that party colleagues had advised him not to lower himself to his political rival’s level.
KTR claimed that the CM had demonstrated a lack of basic knowledge, including about river basins and major projects such as Bhakra Nangal. “The person who stalled Palamuru–Rangareddy is now an adviser to the irrigation department, and they want to debate irrigation in the Assembly,” he remarked.
He further alleged that there was no clarity on the subject of discussion in the Assembly and claimed that ruling party members only began preparing once it was known that KCR would attend the House.
On the Medigadda barrage, KTR recalled BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy had stated in the House earlier in the day that it was blown up using explosives. He alleged that engineers had earlier complained about sabotage and questioned the government why no probe had been ordered.
Drawing a parallel, he cited the destruction of the Kakhovka dam during the Russia–Ukraine conflict and said similar methods were used here, as explained by former IPS officer and BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar.
KTR also criticised the conduct of the Assembly, stating that timelines were not being followed and said that Zero Hour was taken up on the first day, something he said had never happened before.
On the proposed reorganisation of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), KTR said the government was planning to divide it into three parts and possibly convert the proposed ‘Fourth City’ into another corporation. “Any restructuring must be scientific. Arbitrary decisions will not be accepted,” he said, demanding a detailed debate.
He alleged that the proposed delimitation exercise was driven by financial motives. Recalling the 2016 GHMC elections, KTR described them as historic and claimed that such a result had not been repeated since. He added that BRS had even emerged as the second-largest party in the Old City in the past.
On allegations of phone tapping, KTR said intelligence systems had existed since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru and were essential for internal security and State protection. Questioning the narrative around the issue, he asked whether surveillance was not happening even now and whether any CM would openly admit to phone tapping.
“If tapping really happened, why are officials not addressing the media? Even the present DGP was in service then and knows how intelligence systems function,” he said, adding that chief ministers were not briefed on operational details due to established protocols.
KTR accused the government of using SITs and investigations as diversionary tactics and questioned what had been achieved through multiple probes. “Not a single allegation has been proven,” he said, claiming that people had seen through these tactics, as reflected in BRS’ performance in recent sarpanch elections.
On Revanth Reddy shaking hands with KCR in the Assembly, KTR said respect for KCR was natural as he was the leader who delivered Telangana state. “It is enough if the CM has the courtesy to meet KCR in the Assembly. Such decorum should also reflect in public statements,” he said, adding that political opponents greeting each other was healthy for democracy.
Responding to Revanth Reddy’s comments about appearances, KTR said growing a beard was easy, but governance was difficult.
“Not everyone with a beard becomes Gabbar Singh,” he remarked, alleging that comments made were also against leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
