Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy vowed that he would not allow Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) supremo K. Chandrasekhar Rao to regain power as long as he remained active in politics, and challenged the BRS for a debate on Krishna waters in the Assembly, leaving the duration to the opposition party.
Addressing a public meeting at Kosgi in his Kodangal constituency, Mr. Reddy declared that if elections were to be held for the present strength of 119 Assembly constituencies, the Congress would secure 87 seats. Even if the Assembly strength is increased to 150 constituencies, the Congress would form the government with more than 100 seats. “This is my challenge. If you have the courage, accept it,” the Chief Minister said, declaring that the political chapter of the BRS and KCR was effectively over.
Responding to KCR’s comments after what he described as a long political silence, Mr. Reddy said the former Chief Minister was resorting to “senseless language and below-the-belt criticism” instead of addressing issues relevant to the public. He alleged that KCR had failed to make even a single statement that served public interest. Mr. Reddy used quite harsh words to counter the ‘unsavoury comments’ by KCR and his son K.T. Rama Rao and warned that repeated provocation would not be tolerated and paid back in the same coin.
The Chief Minister accused the BRS leadership of avoiding direct debate and challenged them to face discussions inside the Assembly instead of resorting to intimidation outside. “We are ready to debate any issue in the House. Come and engage in a meaningful discussion,” he said. He invited the opposition to discuss the Kaleshwaram project, Krishna and Godavari river water sharing, and allegations of phone tapping. Referring to claims that even a member of KCR’s family had alleged phone tapping, he questioned BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao’s moral authority to challenge the government.
Stating that the Congress government was not afraid of threats or pressure tactics, the Chief Minister asserted that his government would confront the opposition politically and constitutionally, both inside and outside the Assembly.
Curated by Shiv Shakti Mishra
