Harish Rao rubbishes BRS alliance talks, declares party will contest alone

BRS leader T Harish Rao reaffirmed that the party will not ally with Congress or BJP in upcoming elections, targeting both for failing Telangana’s interests. He warned of legal action over Banakacherla and challenged the Revanth Reddy government on various corruption allegations.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS senior leader T Harish Rao rubbished allegations of both the Congress and BJP, declaring that his party will neither forge alliances nor seek support from any party in the next elections. He reminded that BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had already made it clear during the recent public meeting near Warangal.

“We will contest alone and return to power with over 100 seats, with our leader K Chandrashekhar Rao as the Chief Minister,” he declared during the State Formation Day celebrations held at Telangana Bhavan on Monday.

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In a pointed warning, Harish Rao said the BRS will legally fight against the contentious Banakacharla project by approaching the Supreme Court. He said the Congress government in the State failed to take any steps opposing the project even though Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is expediting the works, while the BJP which is relying on his support at the Centre too did not protect interest of Telangana which gave eight MPs.

“If Congress and BJP MPs have any sincerity, let them stop this project immediately,” he demanded, charging the BJP for colluding with Andhra Pradesh’s interests at Telangana’s expense.

The senior BRS MLA cautioned the police and government officials against harassing BRS activists to please their political bosses. “We are watching. Names will be written in the Red Book. Beware, the government that is coming is ours,” he warned.

Referring to alleged large-scale corruption, Harish Rao charged the Revanth Reddy government with favouring just four contractors with Rs 12,000 crore in bills, while ignoring pending dues amounting to Rs 1,200 crore to smaller contractors. “There is no money for students or farmers, but funds are flowing for beauty pageants and six-lane roads to benefit the Congress leaders,” he added.

He demanded the immediate release of CCTV footage and action against an MP, a corporation chairman, and an IAS officer allegedly involved in misconduct with Miss England Milla Magee. “If you have any sincerity, take action immediately,” he said.

The former Minister challenged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and offered to resign, if the latter proves claims of giving interest-free loans of Rs 21,000 crore to women in Telangana. Calling Revanth Reddy a traitor of Telangana, he blamed the Chief Minister for working in favour of his masters from Andhra Pradesh.

“You have never uttered Jai Telangana and instead, aimed rifle at those who raised the slogan. At least now, correct your mistakes and start working for development of the State by stopping the Banakacherla project through the right channels. Stop peddling lies and betraying Telangana,” he told Revanth Reddy.

Harish Rao stated that without Chandrashekhar Rao and BRS, Telangana statehood would have remained a distant dream as many who raised voice for it, had abandoned the cause midway. He reminded that Chandrashekhar Rao had not only pressured the then UPA government to deliver the State, but also led it on a progressive path for a decade.

“If Chandrashekhar Rao made Telangana number one in all sectors, Revanth Reddy made it number one in peddling lies and falsehood,” he said, daring the Chief Minister to showcase one promise successfully delivered or one project executed by him in last 18 months of the Congress rule.