KTR to CM Revanth Reddy: “Fix the time and place, I’m ready for a debate”
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has formally accepted Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s challenge to a public debate on the performance of their respective governments in supporting Telangana's farmers.
Speaking at Telangana Bhavan, KTR invited the Chief Minister to fix the date, time, and venue for the debate, saying he was ready to participate “anywhere, anytime.” However, he questioned Revanth Reddy’s knowledge of agriculture, offering him 72 hours to prepare. “Otherwise, he’ll end up talking about ‘basins’ and ‘okra’ and make a mockery of himself,” KTR said. “Even a bull next to a farmer can explain how agriculture thrived under KCR.”
KTR accused the Congress government of compromising Telangana’s interests, alleging that water was being diverted to Andhra Pradesh through projects like Banakacharla. He described this as a betrayal to please Revanth’s political mentor, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. “This is not governance, this is covert rule,” he said.
Drawing comparisons between the BRS and Congress governments, KTR said that BRS had established 'Raithu Rajyam' (farmer’s rule), while Congress had brought back “Emergency-like” governance, referencing long queues for fertilisers and delayed welfare schemes.
Listing BRS-era initiatives, KTR highlighted the Rythu Bandhu scheme, which provided over ₹73,000 crore in direct transfers to farmers, free 24/7 power for agriculture, revival of more than 46,000 irrigation tanks under Mission Kakatiya, and a significant rise in paddy production. He also pointed to Telangana’s emergence as the top inland fisheries state, contributing ₹30,000 crore in value. “KCR turned farming into a celebration,” KTR said.
Criticising the Congress for failing to deliver on poll promises, KTR said not a single woman had received the promised ₹2,500 monthly support. “Scooters, jobs, and unemployment allowance were all empty promises. Telangana’s youth and women are still waiting,” he said.
He accused the Congress of reducing the promised ₹50,000 crore farm loan waiver to just ₹12,000 crore and said that ₹19,000 is still owed to each farmer under the Rythu Bharosa scheme. KTR also said crop insurance premiums had not been paid for three months.
KTR dismissed Congress’s claims of new job appointments, asserting that the recruitment process was already underway during the BRS government. “Revanth is issuing appointment letters for jobs filled during our tenure. Would he dare say this in Ashok Nagar?” he asked.
He also took a swipe at the Congress’s narrative on farmer welfare. “Congress talking about farmers is like demons reciting the Vedas,” he remarked. “Under Revanth’s rule, all we see are dried-up borewells, burnt transformers, and queues for urea.”
KTR ended his address with an open invitation to Revanth Reddy for the debate. “Choose the Assembly, the Ambedkar statue, Kondareddypalle, Chintamadaka, or Kondangal. If none of these work, I’ll be at Somajiguda Press Club at 11 AM on July 8 to expose the truth before the media,” he said.
“We silently transferred ₹73,000 crore to farmers. Revanth celebrates after giving support for one crop. Let him tell the people how much was promised and how much has been delivered. Farmers will ask. Telangana will ask,” KTR concluded.
