Revanth Slams KCR for Calling Congress Villain No. 1

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao, accusing him of ignoring his constitutional responsibilities despite drawing benefits from the state exchequer as Leader of Opposition (LoP).

Participating in Basaveshwara Jayanti celebrations at Ravindra Bharathi on Wednesday, Revanth Reddy questioned Chandrashekhar Rao’s prolonged absence from legislative duties, stating that he had abandoned his role as the Leader of Opposition while receiving Rs 65 lakh in salary and allowances over the past 16 months.

“Why have you accepted the position of LoP when you have neither attended the Assembly sessions nor stepped out of your farmhouse. Which law allows you to do this?” the Chief Minister asked. “You have enjoyed all perks — a bungalow, car, police security — and yet have failed to discharge duties as LoP.”

Revanth Reddy’s remarks came in response to Chandrashekhar Rao’s criticism of the Congress government at a BRS public meeting in Warangal three days ago, where he termed Congress as 'villain no.1 of Telangana' and accused the ruling party of failing on all fronts since taking office in December 2023.

Refuting the BRS chief’s claims that welfare schemes had been halted, Revanth Reddy asserted that all major initiatives such as Rythu Bandhu, Aarogyasri, free electricity, Shaadi Mubarak, and Kalyana Lakshmi were continuing under the Congress regime.

He further highlighted his government's own welfare measures, including free bus travel for women and the recruitment of 60,000 government jobs for the unemployed.

“The opposition leader should clarify which of these schemes has been stopped,” Revanth Reddy challenged, adding, “If you fear facing us in the Assembly and skip Assembly sessions, why are you drawing a salary from the government?”

Drawing parallels between his government’s actions and the teachings of Basaveshwara, the 12th-century reformer, Revanth Reddy said his government was committed to inclusive welfare and transparency.

“Our government is working in the spirit of Basavanna — to ensure dignity for all and distribute wealth to the poor,” he noted, while lauding the release of Class 10 results at Ravindra Bharthi on Wednesday on Basaveshwara’s birth anniversary as symbolic of this commitment.

Criticising the BRS chief’s Warangal public meeting, Revanth Reddy said, “You went there to wash away your sins, but instead, you peddled more lies. You couldn’t even dare to take my name in that meeting.” He accused the BRS chief of "spewing venom" and making divisive speeches, while claiming that the people of Telangana were wise enough to see through such tactics.

The Chief Minister threw an open challenge to Chandrashekhar Rao for a public debate on key issues, including the Kaleshwaram project, free bus travel, crop loan waiver, SC sub-classification, and caste census. “Let’s discuss development and welfare schemes. We are ready for debate anytime,” he declared.

“KCR looted Telangana for 10 years. KCR says Telangana is ruined under Congress rule. It is not Telangana that is ruined, but KCR’s family after losing power because they planned to loot Telangana for 10 more years but the Congress prevented them,” Revanth said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka also strongly condemned the BRS chief's criticism that the Congress government has failed. Speaking at Basaveshwara jayanti celebrations, Bhatti Vikramarka countered Chandrashekhar Rao, asking whether initiatives inspired by social reformers like Basaveshwara, Jyotirao Phule, and Ambedkar could be seen as failures.

He highlighted schemes such as the caste census aimed at uplifting weaker sections, Rs 12,000 annual aid to landless poor, and employment opportunities for the unemployed as key achievements of the Congress government.

He described the BRS meeting in Warangal as an attempt to undermine decades of social reform efforts. “It is unfortunate they label everything as failure, despite our sincere work for societal change,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.