Revanth Reddy blames BRS for Telangana’s woes, defends Congress policies

Alleges the Opposition party leaders surrendered to Andhra Pradesh's interests, leading to unfair Krishna river water sharing agreement

Hyderabad: Even after 15 months in power, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy continued to blame the previous BRS regime for Telangana’s woes, right from the financial crisis the State was in, water disputes and even infrastructure failures. From Nalgonda’s fluoride contamination to Mahabubnagar’s labour migration and the collapse of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel to the mounting debts, he pinned the blame squarely on his predecessors.

Replying to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address in the Assembly on Saturday, Revanth Reddy accused former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and ex-Minister T Harish Rao of compromising Telangana’s water rights. He alleged that they did not oppose the construction of the Pothireddypadu project in Andhra region of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh during the YS Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress regime despite being members of his Cabinet.

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The Chief Minister also alleged that BRS leaders surrendered to Andhra Pradesh’s interests, leading to an unfair Krishna river water-sharing agreement. He alleged that Chandrashekhar Rao permitted Andhra Pradesh to exploit Telangana’s water resources and only responded after a farmer moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the Pothireddypadu project. He accused the previous government of inflating irrigation project costs for kickbacks and challenged the BRS chief to a debate in the Assembly, offering to apologise if proven wrong.

More interestingly, on Telangana’s debt crisis, Revanth Reddy claimed that the State’s outstanding loans stood at Rs 6.69 lakh crore as on December 1, 2023 after the BRS government demitted office. Though he admitted that the Congress government borrowed Rs 1.58 lakh crore in the last 15 months, he claimed that Rs 1.53 lakh crore was spent on repaying principal and interest from BRS-era debts. He challenged former Finance Minister Harish Rao to an open debate on the issue.

Defending the Governor’s Address, he accused the BRS government of disrespecting constitutional institutions and mistreating the Governor system. He reiterated that the speech outlined the Cabinet’s vision and policy implementation.

Revanth Reddy also blamed the previous government for neglecting farmers, accusing them of releasing Rythu Bandhu funds only during elections for political mileage. “In contrast, the Congress government, within three months of assuming office, released Rs.7,625 crore under Rythu Bharosa, ensuring genuine support for farmers,” he claimed, adding that Rs.20,617 crore was spent on the crop loan waiver while the Rs 12,000 financial aid was provided to landless labourers as promised in the Congress election manifesto.

He dismissed their demands for tabling the caste census report, stating that the Assembly would discuss BC reservations and SC categorisation on March 17 and 18.