KTR demands Telangana government to cut ties with Adani Group

Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan, Rama Rao pointed out that smaller countries like Kenya ended their agreements with Adani after the indictment. "Why can't Telangana do the same?" he asked, accusing both Congress and BJP of double standards. He further challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to justify their ties with Adani, alleging complicity and hypocrisy.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao demanded the Congress government in Telangana to cancel its agreements with the Adani Group, worth Rs 12,400 crore, and return the Rs 100 crore donation made by the group for the Skill University. The demand follows charges of corruption and bribery against industrialist Gautam Adani in a US court. Rama Rao also pressed the Congress and BJP to clarify their stance on the matter.

Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan, Rama Rao highlighted that smaller nations like Kenya terminated their deals with Adani following the indictment. “Why cannot Telangana do the same?” he questioned, accusing both Congress and BJP of double standards. He challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to explain their association with Adani, alleging complicity and hypocrisy.

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“With Adani indicted in the US for corruption, India’s global reputation has suffered another blow,” he stated. Rama Rao criticised the BJP-led Centre for failing to launch a Joint Parliamentary Committee or investigative probe into Adani’s activities, despite repeated demands from the BRS earlier. He argued that this has led to investor losses and diminished India’s standing internationally.

The BRS working president charged the Congress government in Telangana with laying a redcarpet welcome for Adani Group into the State, contrasting it with the BRS government’s decade-long resistance. Within months of Revanth Reddy assuming office, the government announced investments totaling Rs 12,400 crore, including Rs 5,000 crore each for green energy and data centers, Rs 1,400 crore for a cement factory, and Rs 1,000 crore for aerospace sector.

He reminded that shortly after Adani donated Rs 100 crore, the Chief Minister sought to privatise power distribution companies in favour of Adani and allow establishment of Ambuja cement factory at Ramannapet, despite opposition from locals.

Pointing out Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Adani nationally, Rama Rao called out the Congress’s double standards. “If Adani is a fraud at the national level, why is he welcomed in Telangana?” he asked. He demanded Rahul Gandhi clarify if the Adani deals in Telangana had his approval and whether he supported Revanth Reddy’s decisions.

The former Minister also questioned what benefits Adani might have sought in exchange for his donation to the Skill University, referencing Rahul Gandhi’s earlier comments that such donations from industrialists/businessmen often come with expectations of favours. “How is Modi corrupt for associating with Adani, but Revanth Reddy is not?” he asked.

Targeting the BJP, Rama Rao criticised its silence on the Adani controversy in Telangana and accused it of a tacit understanding with the Congress. He asked whether India’s reputation did not take a beating due to Adani’s indictment and whether they endorse Revanth Reddy’s agreements with the group.

He also demanded an explanation for Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s recent secret meeting with Adani in Hyderabad and subsequently, releasing no information on the recent raids of Enforcement Directorate on the Minister’s residence. Accusing Congress of shielding its leaders, he challenged them to disprove his allegations.

Notwithstanding Revanth Reddy’s rhetoric and abusive politics, Rama Rao reaffirmed that the BRS will continue exposing the failures of the Congress government. He suggested the Chief Minister to visit Lagacherla and address farmers’ grievances.