Setting the tone for the impending elections to the Legislative Council and local bodies, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has dared the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders for an open debate on the development that took place during their 10 and 12 year rule respectively, compared to the progress achieved in 12 months of the Congress rule.
The Chief Minister asked BRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao to come along with his son K.T. Rama Rao or nephew T. Harish Rao for the debate while Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar were asked to attend on behalf of the BJP. The debate would focus on the achievements during the BRS tenure and the benefits secured by Telangana on the 12-year BJP tenure at the Centre.
“Let them (BJP and BRS) decide the venue and time for the open debate. I am prepared to come for the debate along with senior Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha to any centre and at any time,” the CM said while addressing an impressive public meeting after laying foundation stones for a spree of works in Narayanpet constituency on Friday.
The Chief Minister ridiculed the BRS for its tall claims on giving two bedroom houses to poor which never materialised. This was in comparison with the 25 lakh Indiramma houses constructed during the erstwhile Congress regime between 2004-14. “The Congress will field its nominees in the local body elections in the areas where Indiramma houses are constructed. Will the BRS accept the challenge and confine its contest to areas where 2BHK house are given?” he asked.
Explaining how the two parties, BRS in particular, meted out injustice to united Mahabubnagar district through which the Krishna river flows, Mr. Revanth Reddy cautioned people against trusting BRS as it harboured a grudge against the backward district. “People elected Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao from Mahabubnagar after Karimnagar people drove him away. But they got nothing,” he said alleging that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao allowed neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to draw Krishna water over and above its allocated share through projects like Pothireddypadu and Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The decade rule of the BRS did not see works on any projects of Mahbubnagar like Kalwakurthy, Jurala, Nettempadu and Koilsagar as Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao was focussed on Kaleshwaram project in lure of commissions. “The project (Kaleshwaram) collapsed yielding no fruits and Mahbubnagar district turned into a desert due to Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao’s negligence,” he said.
Set your home right
Mr. Revanth Reddy ridiculed Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao’s reported assertion that the BRS would hit back very hard in the future asserting “Let Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao set his home right first.” “He should strike at his son Mr. Rama Rao for hosting drug parties and his daughter K. Kavita who was allegedly involved in Delhi liquor scam so that they could mend their ways.
Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his promises in 2014, 2019 and 2024 that were not kept, the Chief Minister said Mr. Modi’s assurance of bringing back black money stashed in Swiss banks remained unfulfilled while industrialists like Neerav Modi fled then country after duping the banks for huge amounts. The BJP Government promised two crore jobs every year and it was the responsibility of its leaders to show how many jobs were created during the 12 year tenure of the BJP.
“My Government gave 55,000 jobs in the first year. I am prepared to show the head count if the BJP leaders are wishing so. Let them show the proof of fulfilment of Mr. Modi’s two crore jobs,” he said.
The Chief Minister cautioned people to be aware of the “designs” of the two parties that were against the development of Mahabubnagar district in spite of the fact that they could not find suitable candidates for the forthcoming elections to the council. “Show your strength to the two parties. Don’t allow them to cross borders of Mahabubnagar district,” he said.
