“Have pens become guns in Revanth Reddy’s Praja Palana?” asks BRS leader Harish Rao

HYDERABAD: Former Minister and MLA T Harish Rao has accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of not only cheating the people of Telangana but also the Congress party.

In an informal chat with media persons at Telangana Bhavan on Wednesday, Harish Rao condemned Revanth Reddy for the love he had expressed towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the beginning, Revanth Reddy talked about the White Papers, but ultimately, he wrote a love letter on the saffron paper by praising Modi and his Gujarat Model, which he wanted to emulate in Telangana. By seeking Modi's continued support, Revanth Reddy even predicted that Modi, not the Congress, would win the next elections. "When the election schedule for the Lok Sabha is coming in 10 days, why did he praise Modi? By doing so, he gave a clear message that Congress would not come to power at the Centre. While Rahul Gandhi opposes Adani, Revanth Reddy gave him a red carpet welcome in Telangana. Revanth Reddy values Modi's blessings more than Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi," he said.

Harish Rao expressed concern over the restrictions imposed on journalists, noting the alleged confiscation of pens and mobile phones of those attempting to enter the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). He questioned the state of affairs, stating, "Pens have become guns in 'Praja Palana,' was it like this when BRS was in power? Who is the dictator now?

He asked why Revanth Reddy, who spoke about misappropriating funds during the BRS regime, hired six PROs.

Harish Rao challenged the Chief Minister's call to voters to evaluate his 100-day rule, pointing out the absence of tangible achievements. "What did he do in his 100-day rule? He is only deceiving the people and the Congress party during his 3-month rule," he said.

Revanth Reddy had promised that on December 9, 2023, farmers' crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh would be waived. "What happened to that promise? Until now, there has been no loan waiver or allocation made for it in the budget. Farmers were also promised a Rs 500 per quintal bonus. Why was the bonus not given?" he asked while demanding that Rs 500 per quintal bonus be given for the coming Yasangi crop.

Harish Rao asked why people should vote for the Congress party in the coming elections. He said the Congress government came, and drought came. Borewells are drying up, farmers' motors are burning off, and famine is scaring during the Congress regime. Farmers are trying to protect their paddy crops through water tankers.

The BRS leader said that Congress had promised an increase in the Aasra pension to Rs 4,000 per month, but the promise remained unimplemented. Congress leaders gave the bond paper with those guarantees. He said a case should be filed against those who signed those bond papers.

Harish Rao said all 13 major promises in the six guarantees must be implemented. Only then should Congress seek votes. Congress said they would give LRS for free. But now they are extorting money from the people. Congress had promised Rs 4,000 monthly allowance to unemployed youth. What happened to it? No such provision was made in the budget, and no discussion was held in the house.

He said auto-rickshaw drivers were promised a Rs 12000 allowance. What happened to it? Many auto drivers committed suicide due to financial problems. They targeted the BRS Govt for the debts. In the last three months, they borrowed 16,000 crores of rupees. They are still trying to get more loans in Delhi.

"About 3,000 people working under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) have not received their salaries. Similarly, the salaries have not been received for two months in the National Health Mission. Aasra Pension has been pending for old people, widows, and disabled people. There are no scholarships for students. So far, no money has been given towards overseas education. About 70,000 people are waiting for the clearance of funds CMRF. They are facing many difficulties regarding medical expenses," he said.

Harish Rao said that no report was given when the Polavaram project wall was washed away. Why did the NDSA team come to inspect the Kaleshwaram project? The NDSA said that the report would be submitted in four months. Why did it take so long to file this report? The Congress Government didn’t intend to give water to the farmers.

"When there was a flood during the rainy season and the pump house sank, the then BRS Government restored it quickly without any fuss and lifted the water without burdening the farmers," he said.

He said that the Maharashtra government had already given permission for land acquisition near Tummidihatti, and the project could be constructed.

He condemned the Congress leaders for targeting former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for no valid reason for not coming to the Assembly. He said KCR did not attend the Assembly session due to health reasons. Even Revanth knew that. But they were still criticising KCR for cheap political gains, he said.