Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Nov 10: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, asserting that real development and welfare in the state were witnessed only under Congress rule, while the BRS pushed Telangana into mounting debt and decline.
Addressing a 'Meet the Press' program in Hyderabad, Revanth Reddy said the "People's Government" has rekindled Telangana's development spirit and vowed that Congress would continue to rule the state till 2034.
The Chief Minister credited Congress leadership for Telangana’s creation and progress, recalling how Sonia Gandhi fulfilled the promise of statehood despite political challenges. "The Congress party created Telangana, and now it is rebuilding it," he said.
He highlighted achievements during the Congress era, including the Rs 73,000 crore loan waiver by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Jalayagnam irrigation initiative. Projects such as Kalwakurthy, Bima, and Mid Manair were cited as key water security accomplishments under Congress rule.
Revanth Reddy stressed Hyderabad’s global stature as an IT and knowledge hub stemmed from Congress policies, noting that nearly 70% of Fortune 500 companies' Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are based in the city.
Turning critical of the BRS, he alleged financial mismanagement under former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). "When KCR took charge, Telangana had a Rs 60,000 crore surplus, but he left behind a debt burden of Rs 8.11 lakh crore," he claimed. He accused BRS of wasting Rs 1.85 lakh crore on irrigation, including Rs 1 lakh crore on the Kaleshwaram project, which he alleged "failed to irrigate even a single acre." Telangana, he noted, achieved the top spot in paddy production without it.
Revanth likened KCR to a “blind-eyed Dhritarashtra” neglecting public welfare, citing closure of 5,000 schools, absence of vice-chancellors in universities, and neglect of Osmania Hospital.
The Chief Minister also criticised the BJP, alleging Union Minister G Kishan Reddy acted like a "Gujarat Gulam," failing to support Telangana’s interests, and accused KTR of colluding with him to stall state development. "The people know who strengthened agriculture and who promoted pub culture," Revanth remarked, pointing out BRS leaders' preference to mingle with film stars over aiding film workers.
He highlighted Congress government initiatives, including completion of a Rs 21,000 crore farm loan waiver, release of Rs 9,000 crore for Rythu Bharosa in nine days, and distribution of Rs 7,100 crore for free RTC bus rides. The government also raised the Rajiv Aarogyasri limit to Rs 10 lakh and launched the Rs 3,000-crore Osmania Hospital redevelopment project. Telangana became the first state to conduct a BC caste census and implement SC classification.
Future plans outlined by the Chief Minister include establishing a Young India Skills University, Police School, Young India Residential Schools, and bringing 20 TMC of Godavari water to Hyderabad.
Revanth urged voters in Jubilee Hills constituency to elect Congress candidate Naveen Yadav in the upcoming by-election to "strengthen the hands of the People's Government and accelerate the city’s progress," reiterating, "The People's Government belongs to the people. Congress created Telangana, and Congress will continue to develop it for the next decade."