Revanth Reddy criticises BJP, calling it 'British Janata Party'

ZAHIRABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy branded the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the "British Janata Party," criticising the ruling party for promoting policies that sow division among people based on religion, region, and language. He accused the BJP of using these divisive tactics to maintain control and power.

During his speech at the Jana Jathra Sabha in Zahirabad on Friday evening, Revanth Reddy highlighted significant similarities between the policies of British colonisers and those implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders. He alleged that the BJP was attempting to secure victory to exploit the country, suggesting that their governance approach mirrored the oppressive practices of the British Raj.

Revanth Reddy warned that if the BJP returned to power, it would radically change the Indian constitution. He accused the BJP of plotting to abolish the reservations instituted by Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, which provide opportunities for Dalits, tribals, and other marginalised groups. He asserted that these changes would severely undermine the rights and welfare of these communities.

He explained that the Congress party is credited with introducing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), providing them with proportional opportunities. He also noted that the Telangana Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to conduct a Backward Classes (BC) census, which would also ensure proportional reservations. However, he claimed that the BJP was conspiring to abolish these reservations.

Revanth Reddy further accused the BJP of planning to reintroduce anti-farmer laws, suggesting that the party intended to hand over the agricultural sector to corporate giants like Adani and Ambani, effectively enslaving farmers on their own lands. He noted that farmers in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar had resisted the BJP's conspiracies.

He stated that the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had oppressed both the state and the country for the past ten years. He pointed out that during this period, K Chandrasekhar Rao governed Telangana while Narendra Modi led the central government, and that 140 crore Indians had witnessed the injustice and corruption they allegedly committed.

Revanth Reddy stated that the Congress government had fulfilled five out of six guarantees within 100 days of assuming office, including providing free bus travel for women on RTC buses, offering free medical treatment up to Rs. 10 lakhs for the poor through the Arogyashri scheme, and providing gas cylinders to the poor for Rs 500. The government also ensured free electricity up to 200 units for low-income households.

He criticised KCR for breaking his promise of providing double-bedroom houses to the poor. He mentioned that when the Congress party came to power, it allocated Rs. 22,500 crores for the construction of 4.50 lakh Indiramma houses to address the housing needs of the underprivileged. Within three months of the Congress taking office, 30,000 vacancies were filled, he claimed.

He also alleged that Zahirabad MP BB Patil joined the BJP on the instructions of KCR. According to him, KCR was supporting the BJP in Zahirabad to secure bail for his daughter, Kavitha, who was arrested in the Delhi liquor case. He suggested that the BRS and the BJP were essentially the same party, collaborating to protect their own interests.

Revanth Reddy argued that for Zahirabad to develop, the Congress party must win this seat. He appealed to the public to support Congress candidate Surehsh Shetkar and ensure his victory with a majority of at least one lakh votes. This, he said, would ensure the region's progress and counter the alleged conspiracies of the BRS and BJP.

He announced an allocation of Rs. 2 crores to establish libraries in government colleges that have achieved first, second, and fourth ranks in the intermediate examinations. Additionally, he promised to set up a Women's Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in the region. He mentioned that if 2,000 acres of land could be acquired in Narayanakhed, he would create a "pharma village," providing job and employment opportunities.