War of words between CM Revanth Reddy and KTR over KCR’s failure to attend Assembly

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced on Wednesday his readiness to sit on a fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to demand central funds for the state, provided BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao joins him in the protest. In response to a challenge from BRS leaders KT Rama Rao and Harish Rao during a heated Assembly debate on the Union Budget's discrimination against Telangana, CM Revanth Reddy stated his willingness to fast with Chandrashekar Rao. "Let KCR, as Leader of Opposition, come forward. I, as the leader of the House, am ready to sit on a fast-unto-death dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Let us get the funds or sacrifice our lives," he declared, daring BRS leaders to set a date for the protest in Delhi.

The Assembly session saw intense exchanges over the Congress government's resolution condemning the Centre's neglect of Telangana in Union Budget. CM Revanth Reddy clashed verbally with Rama Rao over KCR’s persistent absence from the Assembly, even during debates critical to Telangana’s interests. Rama Rao proposed that the entire Telangana cabinet along with CM should protest in Delhi against the Central government's discrimination towards Telangana. He assured full support from all BRS MLAs, MLCs, and MPs for this dharna in Delhi.

CM Revanth Reddy questioned KCR’s absence during crucial discussions, suggesting that KCR might be avoiding the session due to fear of scrutiny from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response, KTR, asserted that BRS MLAs were capable of defending their party's position and criticised the state government for not informing the Opposition in advance about discussion topics.

“We have not come here in the management quota or by telling the names of father or grandfather. We rose to this level with hard work and commitment,” CM Revanth Reddy retorted, accusing BRS leaders of striking backroom deals in Delhi that led to BJP-led NDA government at

the Centre neglecting Telangana in Union Budgets for the past ten years.

Rama Rao shot back, suggesting that CM Revanth Reddy himself had risen to power in payment quota through questionable means. He hinted that Revanth Reddy’s remarks about political legacies might also be directed at Congress leaders Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi. 

CM Revanth Reddy highlighted KCR’s inconsistent stance toward the Modi government, noting KCR's past support for policies like demonetisation and the Triple Talaq Bill, and for BJP candidates in presidential and vice-presidential elections. He accused the previous BRS government of

mismanaging Telangana’s finances, leaving a trail of unpaid bills and economic instability.

KTR defended BRS’s record, attributing Telangana’s development over the past decade to the party's efforts despite limited support from the Centre. He lamented that the word "Telangana" had become prohibited in Lok Sabha due to BRS's absence, expressing concern that both Congress and BJP had marginalised the state, even after winning 8 Lok Sabha seats each in recent elections.

BRS MLA T Harish Rao referred to a previous statement by Revanth Reddy, in which the Chief Minister advised him to hold a protest for farmers and suggested Rama Rao to undertake a 'fast unto death' to address issues of unemployment. Harish Rao further questioned the Chief Minister's role, asking, "If you want us to do all these things, what will you do?"