Congress Demands KTR Clarify On BRS Merger With BJP
“We have heard what your sister (Kavitha) has said, and we’ve heard what Ramesh has claimed. You must respond": Warangal West Congress MLA Naini Rajendar Reddy
WARANGAL: A fresh political controversy has erupted after Congress leaders challenged BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao to respond to allegations made by BJP MP C.M. Ramesh regarding an alleged attempt to merge the BRS with the BJP.
Addressing the media in Hanamkonda, Warangal West Congress MLA Naini Rajendar Reddy demanded that Rama Rao clarify Ramesh’s claim that BRS had proposed a merger with the BJP. Ramesh also stated that he possesses video evidence to support his allegations.
“We have heard what your sister (Kavitha) has said, and we’ve heard what Ramesh has claimed. You must respond,” Rajendar Reddy said. “Your sister herself admitted that she opposed the merger idea, which was reportedly suggested to shield BRS leaders from their past mistakes,” he added.
Rajendar Reddy further challenged Rama Rao to a public debate on the development of the erstwhile Warangal district. “Let the Congress and BRS present their track records, whether the BRS achieved more in its 10-year rule, or the Congress in its 18-month tenure,” he said.
He asserted that he is ready to attend the debate alone, while Rama Rao can bring as many supporters as he wishes. “If it is proven that BRS developed the district more, I will rub my nose on the ground,” he declared. The debate, he suggested, could be held at the Press Club, which Rama Rao claims to have established.
Meanwhile, Vemulawada MLA and Government Whip Aadi Srinivas echoed the demand, stating that BRS distanced itself from the state when it rebranded from Telangana Rashtra Samithi to Bharat Rashtra Samithi.
He accused former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of deceiving Sonia Gandhi by reneging on his promise to merge TRS with the Congress after the formation of Telangana. Srinivas also criticised the BRS for awarding contracts to Andhra Pradesh-based businessmen during its decade in power.
Directly addressing Rama Rao, Srinivas posed a series of pointed questions: “Did you visit BJP MP Ramesh’s residence to discuss a merger? Did you offer to merge BRS with the BJP in exchange for dropping ED and CBI cases against Kavitha and other leaders? Is it true that BJP leaders rejected the proposal, branding BRS a corrupt party?”
Srinivas added that, according to Ramesh’s statement, Rama Rao had also made derogatory remarks about certain communities. “If Rama Rao has the courage, he should stop deflecting and directly address Ramesh’s claims,” he said, urging the public to closely watch Rama Rao’s response.
