The letter, marking one year of Congress governance in Telangana, criticises KCR's leadership and the BRS party’s efforts to undermine the achievements of the Congress government
Published Dec 15, 2024 | 3:10 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 15, 2024 | 3:10 PM
Open letter to KCR: Congress leader responds to BRS allegations on governance (@INCTelangana on X)
In an open letter addressed to BRS President and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President B Mahesh Kumar Goud raised serious concerns about the allegations made by the regional party against the state government.
The letter, penned on the occasion of the completion of one year of Congress governance in the state, aimed at KCR’s leadership and the BRS’ attempts to undermine the Congress government’s achievements.
మాజీ సీఎం, ప్రధాన ప్రతిపక్ష నాయకులు, బిఆర్ఎస్ పార్టీ అధ్యక్షులు కేసీఆర్ కు.
టీపీసీసీ అధ్యక్షులు మహేష్ కుమార్ గౌడ్ బహిరంగ లేఖ…
తెలంగాణ మాజీ ముఖ్యమంత్రి, ప్రతిపక్ష నేత శ్రీ కే.చంద్రశేఖర్ రావు గారికి….
ఎంతో రాజకీయ అనుభవమున్న మీకు రాష్ట్రంలో ప్రస్తుత రాజకీయ పరిస్థితులకు… pic.twitter.com/dAak8hhiWH
— Telangana Congress (@INCTelangana) December 15, 2024
Goud, an MLC and senior Congress leader, criticised the BRS for spreading false narratives about the Congress government.
He claimed that KCR’s party, which boasts a history of six decades of struggle, left Telangana’s people disillusioned during its ten years in power.
Goud accused KCR of failing to honour his promises, citing the latter’s habit of retreating to his farmhouse instead of remaining accessible from the Secretariat which, he said, led to corruption and poor governance.
“Instead of being a leader who governed from the heart of the state’s administration, KCR confined himself to his farmhouse, allowing corruption to flourish unchecked,” Goud wrote.
He also expressed disappointment that KCR and his family failed to introspect, even as the people of Telangana rejected the BRS after the 2018 elections.
A significant portion of the letter focused on KCR’s unfulfilled promises to the people of Telangana, particularly those made during the Telangana movement.
Goud accused KCR of manipulating public sentiment to rise to power, betraying the very people whose sacrifices led to the formation of the state.
He recalled KCR’s pledge to make a Dalit the first chief minister of Telangana — a promise he believes was exploited to secure KCR’s position.
“Your campaign promises of water, funds, and jobs turned out to be hollow. Those who contributed to the Telangana movement were sidelined as you consolidated power within your family,” Goud asserted, pointing to the concentration of political power in KCR’s inner circle.
Goud also criticised KCR for failing to deliver on his promises of employment. He recalled the tragic incidents during the Telangana movement when youth, hoping for jobs, were misled by KCR’s assurances.
“Your family orchestrated drama in the name of ‘Deeksha,’ encouraging youth to self-immolate and stage protests. Yet, once in power, you ensured that government jobs were restricted to your family’s circle,” Goud said.
In contrast, the Congress government, Goud claimed, has already fulfilled its employment promises. Under Congress leadership, over 54,000 government jobs were filled within the first year, and recruitment exams were successfully conducted, despite attempts by the BRS to disrupt the process.
Goud further criticised the erstwhile KCR government on the issue of water supply, a cornerstone of the Telangana movement.
He highlighted KCR’s focus on the Kaleshwaram project, which he said, became a “cash cow” for KCR’s family and allies rather than a boon for farmers.
“The Kaleshwaram project was supposed to be a lifeline for Telangana, but instead, it became a symbol of corruption,” Goud stated, adding, “While the Congress government has facilitated record production of paddy, you failed to provide irrigation water as promised.”
Goud also addressed the financial mismanagement under KCR’s regime, claiming that KCR left Telangana with a massive debt of ₹7 lakh crore.
He compared it with Congress’s fiscal utilisation, highlighting the party’s implementation of the “Warangal Declaration” and the loan waiver for farmers. According to Goud, the loan waiver benefited 25 lakh farmers with a total disbursement of ₹21,000 crore.
KCR’s tenure, Goud said, was marked by scandals and the mismanagement of key projects, from flyovers to land reforms, resulting in the “looting of poor people’s land.”
He also criticised KCR’s government for failing to take steps to address farmers’ distress, which was a key promise during the statehood movement.
Goud accused KCR of neglecting Telangana’s cultural heritage and identity, citing the failure to install the Telangana Thalli statue during his tenure.
He also criticised KCR’s party for removing “Telangana” from the BRS name, highlighting the disconnect between the BRS leadership and the state’s cultural pride.
Moreover, Goud pointed out KCR’s disregard for women’s welfare, noting the absence of even a single woman minister in his Cabinet during his first term as chief minister.
In contrast, the Congress government has rolled out initiatives like the “Mahalakshmi” scheme, which offers benefits to 50 lakh families, including free bus travel, subsidised electricity, and gas cylinders, Goud said.
The letter also took aim at KCR’s son and BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR), accusing him of misleading the public and making baseless accusations against the Congress government’s initiatives.
Goud accused KTR of hypocrisy, stating that his tenure was marked by broken promises and unfinished projects, including the Musi Riverfront project and the metro rail.
Goud concluded his letter by urging KCR to take a more constructive approach as the Leader of the Opposition. He urged KCR to participate actively in the Assembly and offer constructive advice rather than remaining isolated at his farmhouse while levelling baseless accusations.
“Telangana’s people have endured ten years of misrule under your family’s leadership. Now, they recognise the positive changes brought by the Congress government. Your propaganda cannot mislead them any longer,” Goud said.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
