KTR warns of youth and farmers’ movement against Congress

BRS working president KT Rama Rao warned that growing public dissatisfaction could trigger a major youth and farmers' movement against the Congress government in Telangana. He accused the government of betraying election promises, neglecting farmers and politicising the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Tuesday warned that Telangana was headed for a massive youth and farmers’ movement against the Congress government, asserting that mounting public discontent would eventually drive the ruling party out of power. He said the ongoing protests by students and youth in Delhi were a clear reminder that governments ignoring the aspirations of young people risked facing widespread public resistance.

“If the aspirations of the youth continue to be ignored, Telangana too will witness a similar movement. The day is not far when the youth, under KCR’s leadership, will rise again. When the youth and farmers come together, the Congress government cannot withstand that wave,” he said, adding that if the Chief Minister or the Ministers were found alone, farmers and youth were ready to teach them a fitting lesson for misleading them with false promises.

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Rama Rao was addressing a farmers’ meeting at Ankathipalli near Lakshettipet in Mancherial district after extending financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of four farmers who died while attempting to protect their harvested paddy during unseasonal rains in May.

The BRS working president accused the Congress government of criminal negligence in delaying paddy procurement. He said the four farmers lost their lives after a wall collapsed near a procurement centre while they were trying to safeguard their produce. Stating that the government failed to begin timely procurement despite repeated demands, he said the BRS had staged an eight-hour protest seeking justice for the bereaved families, but the government remained unmoved for over two months.

Rama Rao charged that the Congress betrayed farmers, youth and other sections by failing to honour its election promises. Referring to the BRS party’s recent youth convention, he said the growing discontent among young people over unfulfilled commitments on employment and recruitment clearly exposed the government’s false promises.

He criticised the government’s handling of the prevailing drought situation, stating that inadequate planning had compounded farmers’ distress. He accused the administration of creating hurdles in the supply of fertilisers and delaying procurement, leaving cultivators vulnerable.

The former Minister criticised the Congress government for indulging in petty politics over the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme instead of utilising the available infrastructure to provide water to farmers. He reiterated that sufficient water levels existed at Kannepally and that coordinated operation of the Annaram, Sundilla and Medigadda barrages could lift nearly 3 TMCft of water a day.

Questioning the continued delay in repairing the damaged piers at Medigadda, Rama Rao asked why restoration had not been completed even after nearly three years. He also recalled that the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) did not prohibit lifting water from the Kannepally pump house, accusing the government of using the Kaleshwaram project as a political excuse while farmers faced severe hardship.

He urged party workers to remain united and said the BRS would continue to intensify its campaign against the Congress government. He expressed confidence that public dissatisfaction would translate into a strong political movement led by farmers and youth. On the occasion, he warned officials, particularly the police, against intentionally targeting BRS leaders and harassing them at the behest of the ruling Congress leaders.