Revanth should take back his words, he’s not final, Seethakka as CM big joke, lashes out Komatireddy

HYDERABAD: It looks like the bonhomie between Telangana Pradesh Congress Chief (TPCC) Revanth Reddy and the party's star campaigner Komatireddy Venkat Reddy was just a temporary ceasefire. On Tuesday, Komatireddy took strong objection to the controversial comments made by Revanth on the supply of free power to agriculture.

Addressing the NRI wing of the Congress party in the United States, Revanth had said that if his party came to power, it would review the free power scheme for agriculture and take a decision based on the economic situation of the State.

In the video which went viral on social media, Reddy can be heard stating that, “Over 35% of the farmers in Telangana own just 2-3 acres and they would need power for more than three hours to irrigate their farmland. Power supplied for one hour would be sufficient to irrigate one acre of land and in such a case, three hours of power is sufficient for many farmers in the State.”

This comment has drawn criticism from not just the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana which called for two-day state-wide protests but also from within the Congress.

Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who has always had a rough relationship with with the TPCC Chief, said that Revanth's comments were uncalled for.

"There is no need to pay heed to his comments. None of Revanth Reddy's statements are final. The post of PCC Chief is a small one. He does not have the authority to take a decision free supply of electricity. He should hold a press conference in the United States and take back his statement," said Komatireddy Venkat Reddy to the media.

As a senior leader of Telangana Congress, Venkat Reddy said that he would request the party high command to include free power to the agriculture sector for 24 hours in the election manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in Telangana.

Komatireddy also took a jibe at the TPCC Chief for his comments that if the situation arose, Mulugu MLA Seethakka could also become the party's chief ministerial candidate.

"That is a big joke. Why is he speaking like that after going to America? The Congress party will always discuss and vote through a ballot paper to decide on the chief ministerial candidate," he said.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress put out a tweet defending Revanth Reddy's comments.

"TPCC chief has never said there is no need for free power to farmers. He stated that in the name of commission, KCR has been saying 24 hours power for farmers. Sri. Revanth's intent behind the statement is, quality power for 8 hours would be enough for farmers in Telangana which is being misconstrued by the manipulative BRS," the tweet stated.