Revanth Reddy questioned the contributions of BRS and BJP to Telangana during their long tenures compared to his 12 months in office.
Published Feb 21, 2025 | 7:52 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 21, 2025 | 7:52 PM
KCR's (R) criticism of his government and Congress's promises angered Revanth Reddy.
Synopsis: Political rhetoric continued in Telangana with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, in response to K Chandrashekar Rao’s remark that the Congress’s graph is on a downslide, dared him to a debate at a place of his choice to compare the achievements of their governments.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched a broadside against former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) for his remarks at the BRS’s recent executive committee meeting that the Congress’s graph in the state was on a downward spiral.
Speaking at a public meeting in Narayanpet, which was part of the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, on Friday, 21 February, the chief minister challenged KCR and the BJP to a public debate.
He questioned their contributions to the state during their long tenures compared to his 12 months in office.
“KCR, you were the chief minister for 10 years, and Narendra Modi has been Prime Minister for 12 years. I have only been in office for 12 months, yet I have achieved more for the state than both of you,” he said.
“I invite you to a debate at any location of your choice to compare our performances. If I fail to prove that my tenure has not been more impactful, I am ready to apologise,” he dared.
Revanth Reddy, visibly upset by KCR’s sharp criticism of the Congress government and its promises, accused the BRS supremo of neglecting the Mahabubnagar district. He pointed out that despite the presence of the Krishna River, the region remained barren and underdeveloped due to KCR’s inaction.
“You betrayed the trust of the people of Mahabubnagar. They elected you to the Lok Sabha in 2009, reviving your political career when it was fading. However, after the formation of Telangana and you becoming the chief minister in 2014, you ignored Mahabubnagar entirely,” he alleged.
He further accused the BRS of obstructing his efforts to develop the district. “You were in power for 10 years. Why did projects like Palamuru-Rangareddy, Koil Sagar, Nettempadu, and the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) remain incomplete? By delaying the Palamuru-Rangareddy project, you turned Mahabubnagar into a desert. Now, when we initiated the Makthal-Narayanpet-Kodangal project, the BRS created hurdles. We are determined to complete these projects to stop migration from Palamuru,” he asserted.
Revanth Reddy also alleged that KCR had allowed the diversion of Krishna River waters to Rayalaseema when YS Rajesekhara Reddy (YSR) was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
“Later, when YSR’s son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy diverted water to Rayalaseema, you remained silent. The consequences of your actions are now haunting the state. Harish Rao and KCR are responsible if lands in Mahabubnagar remain barren since they had held the irrigation portfolio for five years each,” he said.
Mocking KCR’s claim that he could hit hard when provoked, Revanth Reddy retorted: “If you want to hit hard, start with your son, daughter, and nephew. If you attack the Congress, our workers will not remain silent.”
He dared KCR to contest panchayat elections in areas where he claimed to have constructed double-bedroom houses for the poor.
“We will contest where Indiramma houses are coming up. Let the people decide whom they trust,” Revanth Reddy said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
