BRS condemns Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks against Telangana

Demand that the Union Minister withdraw her remarks and focus on fulfilling commitments to the State

Hyderabad: Senior BRS leaders have strongly condemned Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s statements in the Rajya Sabha regarding Telangana’s economic condition. Former MP B Vinod Kumar, former Ministers Ponnala Lakshmaiah and Satyavathi Rathod have charged Nirmala Sitharaman with presenting a misleading narrative, while ignoring the State’s rapid economic growth.

They demanded that the Union Minister withdraw her remarks and focus on fulfilling commitments to Telangana instead of engaging in political attacks.

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At a press conference in Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Vinod Kumar criticised Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks on Telangana’s debt, stating that the State has seen unprecedented growth under former Chief Minster K Chandrashekhar Rao’s leadership. “Telangana is not a pile of debts. Chandrashekhar Rao did not waste money – he built irrigation projects, massive reservoirs, road networks, integrated collectorates, police command control centre, medical colleges, and other public utilities, creating assets,” he said.

He questioned why Sitharaman failed to mention Telangana’s soaring GSDP, fivefold revenue growth, and the highest per capita income in the country. He also accused her of selectively highlighting central schemes, while skipping the injustice meted out to the State. “Jan Dhan accounts and Vande Bharat trains were launched across the country, not just in Telangana. Boasting about them is laughable,” he said. He stated that Nirmala Sitharaman, like Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, was attempting to defame the State.

MLC Satyavathi Rathod expressed similar sentiments, condemning an insulting reference to Telangana by Nirmala Sitharaman who claims to be the ‘daughter-in-law’ of Telugu States. She charged her for neglecting Telangana, while diverting funds to BJP-ruled States. “If Chandrashekhar Rao took loans to transform lives, what has Modi done? Why didn’t Sitharaman mention Bayyaram steel factory or the stalled tribal university?” she questioned, suggesting that Nirmala Sitharaman should not belittle Telangana to elevate herself..

Ponnala Lakshmaiah dismissed the union Finance Minister’s concerns over Telangana’s debt, arguing that its economic position is stronger than most major States and its debt-to-income ratio is better than 12 major States. “Debt is part of any economy. Telangana’s per capita income is the highest in the country,” he said. He found fault with Nirmala Sitharaman for downplaying the State’s progress while neglecting the promises made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.