Farmers gave land for Congress' public meet, says Revanth

HYDERABAD: TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday alleged a nexus between the BRS and BJP, citing their respective refusals to allot the Gachibowli Stadium and Parade Ground for the Congress rally. “But while the BJP and BRS are opposed to the Congress holding its meeting, the farmers of Tukkuguda came to our rescue,” said TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy.

He said that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on September 16 will have implications for the entire nation, as a policy document and national agenda of the party will be decided.

“We want to increase the connection of the party to the Telangana people. It was not easy to convince the party to hold the CWC here, with stalwarts like Ashok Gehlot and others vying to hold it. It will discuss the agenda behind the calling of the emergency Parliament session,” he said.

Revanth said that the One Nation One Election (ONOE) plan and polls to five states will be discussed.

Questioning the lack of an agenda for the Parliament session, he said, “It’s not clear what the agenda of the special session is. What is the agenda? Why is it not being spelt out? The BJP fears if they lose the polls in the five states, Modi will be finished. The postponement of elections is not going to affect us. When the BJP says it is for ONOE, it is for one person, one party in reality.”

He said: “The meeting in Tukkuguda is going to be bigger than the one in Khammam. It’s going to be four people vs four crore people in the state. With none of the senior BJP leaders contesting the polls, it is clear that they have cleared the path for the BRS. The anti-incumbency votes will not go to the BJP as people have understood that they are together. By not fielding important leaders, the BJP wants to give its share of votes to the BRS. The BRS has already said that it is in favour of ONOE, by writing to the Election Commission.”

Citing the changed political equations, he said, “The buzz about the BJP coming to power has changed after the Karnataka election results. What has changed after that election? They have the same leaders even now at the helm. The BJP has some outside partners and inside partners. BRS, YSRC and AIMIM are outside partners while the likes of Anupriya Patel and Eknath Shinde are inside players. You just have to look at their track record of the last nine years to understand this. Why is Asaduddin Owaisi calling for the defeat of the Congress?”

Revanth also dismissed that monetary help being extended by way of cash transfers under Rythu Bandhu will not be a game-changer for the BRS. “Thirty to 40 per cent of the land in Telangana is tilled by tenant farmers who are not covered by Rythu Bandhu. Ninety per cent of the farmers own fewer than three acres. The BRS has failed to deliver on its core promises like three acres for Dalits and double bedroom houses,” he said.

Asked what their positive agenda is, he said, “The Farmers’ Declaration made one year back, Youth Declaration, Khammam Welfare Declaration, SC/ST Declaration from Chevella are our positive agenda. We are the ones who built the ORR (outer ring road) and Hitec City; education and health infrastructure that is there now was done by us. My plans for the state include clearing encroachments on the Musi by paying them proper compensation and developing a riverfront.”

On defectors joining Congress affecting poll chances, he said, “All those who join need not be given tickets. The leaders who are leaving BRS are those who have influence beyond their constituencies and are hence being accommodated. Jitta Balakrishna Reddy and Yennam Srinivas Reddy have evinced interest in joining the party. Minister in BRS government Patnam Mahendar Reddy will file nomination from Congress in the Tandur seat. The BRS will not get more than 30 seats.”