Revanth: Like Villains in Films Caught at Climax, KCR, KTR Will Go to Jail Eventually

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday said that former chief minister and BRS chief K. Chandrashekhar Rao and his son and BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao would eventually go to jail for indulging in corruption and other irregularities during their decade-long rule in Telangana.

Drawing a parallel to villains in movies, Revanth Reddy said that just as villains are caught at the climax of a movie, BRS leaders would also face jail time eventually. Although investigations against BRS leaders may take time, the Chief Minister stressed that the corrupt would ultimately be punished.

In an informal chat with media persons in Delhi on Thursday, Revanth Reddy said that his government would not resort to phone tapping, unlike the previous BRS administration.

“We won’t tap the phones of our political rivals. Unlike the previous BRS government, which indulged in such illegal acts, we will maintain transparency and uphold the law,” he remarked. He further claimed that BRS leaders’ own family members were exposing the truth about the previous regime's corruption.

Revanth Reddy responded sharply to Rama Rao’s recent remark questioning his visits to Delhi. He countered, “Should I stay at a farmhouse like his father while Telangana faces issues? I am in Delhi to address the state’s problems, not for personal gain."

The Chief Minister accused Rama Rao of being involved in narcotics-related issues. He alleged that Rama Rao’s close associates, including a friend named Kedar, indulged in drug use, referring to Kedar’s death in Dubai due to drug consumption.

Revanth Reddy alleged that forensic reports link Rama Rao’s circle to drug use.

“Rama Rao’s group is known for indulging in drugs. I would never associate with someone involved in such activities.” Revanth Reddy also criticised Rama Rao’s refusal to debate the drug issue publicly, questioning his silence when faced with the “White Challenge” thrown by him.

The Chief Minister also raised questions about the mysterious meetings between Rama Rao and Andhra Pradesh Education Minister N. Lokesh. “Why did Rama Rao meet Lokesh in the dead of the night three times? What were they discussing in secrecy?” he asked, suggesting that Rama Rao might have something to hide.

Revanth Reddy said that a "cocktail of drugs" was involved in Kedar’s death and that the circumstances behind his demise would be disclosed in due course.

He said he was ready to present the full report on Kedar’s death in the Legislative Assembly, but only if Chandrashekhar Rao was involved in the discussion. “I will only discuss this matter with Chandrashekhar Rao, not with Rama Rao,” he asserted.

Regarding Chandrashekhar Rao’s alleged role in protecting his family members, Revanth Reddy criticised the BRS chief for sheltering his son Rama Rao despite internal family disputes. “Rama Rao’s leadership is not even accepted by his own sister, Kavitha,” he noted.

The Chief Minister said Rama Rao was demanding that his father grant him the Leader of Opposition (LoP) status, but Chandrashekhar Rao was refusing. Revanth Reddy claimed that none in Chandrashekhar Rao's family were supporting Rama Rao’s political ambitions.

Revanth Reddy reiterated that his government would work closely with the Centre for the development of the state. He acknowledged the challenges but assured that projects such as the Tumiddihatti project in Maharashtra would be pursued, and 2.5 lakh jobs would be created within the next two and a half years.

He also responded to Union minister and BJP leader G. Kishan Reddy's criticism, urging him to come up with a concrete plan rather than writing empty letters.

Regarding contentious issues such as river linkages and the Andhra Pradesh government's Banakacharla project, Revanth Reddy said that an expert committee had been set up to resolve the water disputes during a meeting convened by the Centre with the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in Delhi on Wednesday.

On the issue of reservations for backward classes, Revanth Reddy said that the state had introduced a new ordinance to rectify the reservation system, which had been diluted under Chandrashekhar Rao’s leadership.

He explained that BC reservations in local bodies were reduced from 34 per cent to 23 per cent during the BRS regime, which he vowed to reverse by implementing 42 per cent reservations for BCs in the upcoming local body elections.

“Since 2018, Chandrashekhar Rao has made changes to the Panchayat Raj Act and reduced reservations for BCs. Our stance is clear — we want to restore the BC reservation to 42%, and we have a clear strategy for that,” he clarified.

Revanth Reddy urged the Centre to clarify its stance on phone tapping cases, particularly the investigations into phone tapping during the BRS regime, which were under the supervision of the High Court. He demanded that Kishan Reddy explain why the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation into the Formula E race case, in which Rama Rao is accused, was being delayed.

Referring to Rama Rao’s public challenges for debates, Revanth Reddy said he would engage in a debate only with Chandrashekhar Rao and not Rama Rao, as Rama Rao lacks the stature for such discussions.

“It’s a habit of Rama Rao to file petitions in courts and get stay orders whenever things don’t go his way,” Revanth Reddy said.

Recalling the High Court’s monitoring of the case, the Chief Minister questioned why the probe had not made substantial progress. He alleged that the BJP leadership was stalling the investigation and had delayed bringing key individuals like Prabhakar Rao to India from abroad. Revanth Reddy demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI for a transparent and efficient investigation, accusing the Centre of delaying action.

“Why has the Central government delayed Prabhakar Rao’s arrest? There are several investigations the ED has taken over — so where is the progress?” Revanth Reddy asked.

On the issue of Muslim reservations, Revanth Reddy pointed out that reservations for Muslims have been part of the Constitution, particularly under the BC-E category. He stressed that Muslim reservations were being implemented in BJP-ruled states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, despite contrary claims by BJP leaders in Telangana.

He slammed the BJP for its stance on Muslim reservations and urged Kishan Reddy to abolish them in BJP-ruled states before commenting on Telangana’s policies. “Let the BJP abolish Muslim reservations in the states it rules before demanding Telangana to do so. First, clean your own backyard,” Revanth Reddy insisted.