Breaking his long silence, former Telangana chief minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), who has been away from the public eye for a long time, said he would ‘hit hard’ at the Congress government while addressing party workers on Friday, January 31.
Alleging that the Congress government faces massive public discontent within a year of its rule, the BRS chief announced that a public meeting will be held in February to highlight the government’s failures.
“I am watching this government seriously and silently. If I hit you, it won’t be normal. It’s my habit to hit hard,” KCR told a meeting of party cadres at his farmhouse in Gajwel.
In a bitter counter-attack, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ridiculed KCR’s warning and remarked that the former CM should learn to stand properly without a stick.
"Forget about hitting hard. KCR should learn first to stand properly. KCR is boasting about getting more likes on Twitter. We understand the state of mind of KCR on his comments about likes on social media after being the Chief Minister for 10 years," he said.
Revanth Reddy said that the BRS leader was hiding in a farmhouse as he was unable to face people after suffering a crushing defeat.
KCR came down heavily on the government for allegedly not implementing its poll promises. He remarked that people are so angry at Congress that they will get beaten up on streets. “I have seen many governments but never one like this,” he said.
Announcing that a public meeting will be held in February to highlight the failures of the government, he called upon the cadres to participate in large numbers.
Addressing BRS leaders and cadres from Zahirabad constituency, the BRS president claimed that some people became greedy and voted for the Congress party believing their false promises.
He lashed out at the government saying it cheated farmers, tribals, minorities and other sections of people.
KCR claimed that the state’s revenues have dropped drastically. The former chief minister warned that the situation would be grim in the coming times. He predicted that in another four months the state government would not have money even to pay salaries to employees.
KCR claimed that the real estate sector has been hit hard with a big slump in land prices.
The BRS leader said that poor quality food is being served to students of residential schools, forcing parents to take their kids home.
The former chief minister exuded confidence that BRS will come back to power. “Our victory is certain in the coming days. Only BRS will fight for Telangana. Nobody else will come,” he said and asked BRS cadres to be ready for direct action against the government.
Later, addressing a public meeting at Mogiligidda village in Rangareddy district, Revanth Reddy said instead of indulging in “useless talk” while sitting in his farmhouse, KCR should come to the Assembly. "KCR says crop loans have not been waived. If he is honest and sincere, he should come to the Assembly. I will give all details of crop loans waived," he said.
He alleged that the BRS, during its 10-year rule, pushed a revenue-surplus state into a debt trap. He said the Congress government inherited Rs 7 lakh crore debts in 2023.
On KCR’s remark that the government may not implement Rythu Bharosa, Revanth Reddy said that he was not like KCR to go back on his word. He alleged that KCR has a history of going back on promises such as appointing a Dalit Chief Minister, giving three-acres of land to Dalits and double-bedroom houses.
He said the KCR government waived only Rs 18,000 crore of farm loans from 2014 to December 2023 but only Rs 3,000 crore of outstanding debts were cleared, as the remaining amount was spent to pay interest on farm loans. Hd claimed that the Congress government waived Rs 21,000 crores of farm loans in one year.
“KCR is like a demonetised note of 1,000 rupees. He has no value. By staying in a farmhouse, he has lost connection with people. Despite being rejected by people, the BRS has not changed," said the Chief Minister.
He claimed that the Congress government gave more jobs in one year compared to jobs provided by the BRS during its 10-year rule.
He disputed KCR’s claim that people were suffering under the Congress rule. He said the government waived crop loans of up to Rs 2 lakh, provided free bus travel for women, enhanced Arogyasri coverage to Rs 10 lakh, and implemented fee reimbursement and Rythu Bharosa schemes.