Poor turnout mars Revanth Reddy’s Makthal meeting, Minister voices displeasure

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s district tour in Makthal, under the banner of ‘Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu,’ faced low public turnout, leaving Congress leaders, including MLA V Srihari, embarrassed and prompting calls for a more ambitious approach in future events

Narayanpet: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s district tour on Monday, held under the banner of ‘Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu’ but widely viewed as a panchayat election exercise, got off to an embarrassing start with a poor turnout at his first public meeting in Makthal.

The thin attendance left Congress leaders unsettled, prompting Makthal MLA and Animal Husbandry Minister V Srihari to openly express his disappointment at the very meeting organised to welcome the Chief Minister.

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“There is some lapse. In the past, funds were not released sufficiently for the constituency. Today Rs. 1,000 crore are sanctioned and we should have extended a grand welcome to the Chief Minister,” Srihari said, making his dissatisfaction clear.

Despite elaborate arrangements and efforts to mobilise crowds, including students from residential colleges, the public response remained weak. Though cameras attempted to capture favourable angles, several rows of empty chairs were visible across the Ambedkar Nagar venue, exposing the lack of turnout.

“We need to change our approach and be ambitious. If we don’t, who will change our lives? The Chief Minister should have been accorded a grand reception. We make these mistakes and then repent but that is of no use,” Srihari told the gathering.

He added, “I did not feel bad when I won with a lesser majority in the Assembly elections. But today, when the Chief Minister came here, your behaviour has hurt me badly. This should not happen again.”