HYDERABAD: In a hard-hitting rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said that the Congress government in Telangana had begun delivering on its poll promises within two days of taking charge and had swiftly shed the “gloom and despair” trauma left by the BRS government.
Revanth Reddy stated that Modi’s comments were plagued with several misconceptions and factual errors.
Reddy was responding to Modi's post on "X" on Friday, alleging that Congress governments had failed to keep poll promises in Telangana, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh and that development and fiscal health were deteriorating in these states, as a result.
The Chief Minister responded with a post on X on Saturday, challenging Modi’s assessment, while highlighting the rapid progress made by the Congress government in Telangana since it took office last December.
“Every promise made by us to the people is a sacred commitment. In the last 11 months, we have ended the darkness left by BRS. Today the rising Telangana is spreading light and ushering in renewed hope,” he stated. He detailed several initiatives implemented by his government, arguing that they have effectively improved lives and strengthened the state.
Within two days of assuming office, the Congress government delivered on key pledges, including free bus travel for women across government-run buses and providing comprehensive healthcare and hospitalisation coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh under the Rajiv Aarogyasree scheme. Over 101 crore free bus trips have been made by women, saving them a cumulative Rs 3,433.36 crore in less than a year.
He highlighted the Congress government’s farmer-friendly initiatives, including what he described as “India’s largest state-level farmer loan waiver,” benefiting more than 22 lakh farmers with a total waiver amount of Rs 18,000 crore. The promise to waive loans of each farmer up to Rs two lakh was accomplished in 25 days, he said.
Revanth Reddy said that women are now benefiting from free electricity for domestic use, covering up to 200 units, a measure that has garnered significant support from people. Additionally, the government has reduced each gas cylinder price to Rs 500, much lower than the rates in BJP-ruled states. To date, over 1.31 crore gas cylinder refills have been availed under this program, benefiting more than 42 lakh families, he said.
The Chief Minister said that they had launched an extensive recruitment drive, filling over 50,000 jobs across multiple levels. Unlike previous administrations, the Congress government has held exams regularly and recruited candidates across sectors, a record ‘no BJP-led state has matched’.
Further, allocations have been increased by over 40% for food and essential items for children in welfare hostels.
“Our youth, who faced years of delayed exams and stagnant job opportunities, are finally seeing their aspirations getting realised,” Reddy said.
He also highlighted the government's focus on environmental preservation, including the rejuvenation of River Musi. The Congress government has launched extensive measures to safeguard lakes and water bodies from encroachment, a problem, he noted, had persisted under previous governments.
To further support the state’s youth, the Congress government has established the Young India Skills University and is in the process of establishing Young India Sports University, and Young India Integrated Residential Schools, aiming to equip the next generation with skills for a global workforce.
Revanth Reddy stated, “We are committed to creating a ‘Future City’ and a master plan to propel Telangana towards a brighter tomorrow.” He said that the Congress government’s approach is not merely fulfilling poll promises but building a sustainable and inclusive future for all people.
Stressing the Congress government’s commitment to honour its promises, Revanth Reddy said, “In Telangana, we have ushered in a wave of joy and hope after almost a decade of BRS misrule. Today, Telangana is rising and dispelling the shadows of the past.”
