Hyderabad: Describing state borrowings as “not debts but investments”, municipal minister K.T. Rama Rao on Tuesday asserted that the borrowings were within prescribed limits. He also said that the TRS would win the 2019 elections “hands down” on its own and will not need an alliance partner.
“Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and AP debts are more than their Budget. TS loans are less compared to other states. 2017-2018 Budget was carefully crafted by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and finance minister Etala Rajender keeping everyone in mind. It is aimed at rejuvenating rural economy and extending full support for the revival of rural traditional communities,” he explained.
Taking a dig at the Congress, he said that as long as Rahul Gandhi heads the party, it would not grow. To a question, Mr Rao said that the BJP or any other party can focus on TS but it is the people who will ultimately decide who to support.
“People are on TRS side. I can’t say if “Modi wave” will continue in 2019. A small mistake could alter results,” he remarked.
Dismissing allegation that TS was falling into a debt trap, Mr Rao said that Congress leaders should understand that country’s GDP-dept ratio is 69 per cent while that of Telangana 17.43 per cent.
“Congress leaders are trying to scare people. What they are saying is not true. We are taking loans for development and not for wasteful expenditure. Our GSDP is more than Sri Lanka,” he said.
