Revanth Predicts BRS, BJP Tie-Up For ’29 Polls

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy predicted that the next Assembly elections would be a straight fight between the Congress-led coalition and the BRS-BJP coalition. He said had clear information about a pre-poll understanding between BRS and BJP to jointly contest the Assembly elections.

Throwing an open challenge to BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao, Revanth Reddy asked whether he was willing to take an oath in the name of God that the BRS would not ally with the BJP if the alliance claims were untrue. Revanth Reddy was speaking with mediapersons at the Legislative Assembly premises on Monday.

Referring to Rao's daughter K. Kavitha launching a political party recently, Revanth Reddy questioned the very survival of the BRS. He said BRS had lost its relevance in Telangana and talking about Kavitha's party is a waste of time. He said the BRS had a past but no future.

Revanth Reddy said that Rao's family had lost touch with the people and described the entire family as “one unit”, lacking distinct identity. He stated that he never wished ill-health to or harm upon Rao, stating that the former chief minister was only a political rival and not his personal enemy. He noted that he had visited Chandrashekar Rao in hospital when he was injured and inquired about his well-being in the Assembly as well. He added that the BRS chief remaining healthy would make political contest easier, while accusing Rao’s own family members of wanting him sidelined for political reasons.

The Chief Minister demanded that Chandrashekar Rao respond to questions raised by Kavitha, particularly regarding allegations about his personal and political situation, and again challenged him to publicly declare that BRS would not align with the BJP. He went on to describe BRS as a “party past its expiry” and equated it to a “lifeless entity".

Revanth Reddy said that the Congress government was functioning without discrimination and claimed there was effectively no Opposition in the state. He also referred to internal issues within Chandrashekar Rao’s family, alleging past attempts to project K.T. Rama Rao as Chief Minister and attributing family differences to power-sharing disputes between them.

Referring to the Kaleshwaram project, the Chief Minister said the government would press the Centre for a CBI probe. He stated that while the P.C. Ghose Commission report had not been struck down by the High Court, only certain technical aspects were flagged, and no blanket relief was granted to Chandrashekar Rao and Harish Rao. He explained that the court did not prohibit action based on the report but observed issues related to natural justice under specific provisions. He added that the government itself had informed the court that no action would be taken solely based on the report.

Revanth Reddy pointed out that multiple reports, including those by the National Dam Safety Authority and vigilance agencies, had highlighted design and quality lapses in the Kaleshwaram project, even during the previous BRS regime. He stressed that only a CBI probe could establish the full extent of irregularities and said the state would provide all required information to the agency.

He recalled that the Centre had earlier indicated that a CBI inquiry could be initiated within 48 hours if requested, and questioned why Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy had not responded on the issue.

The Chief Minister criticised BJP leaders for making statements to maintain what he termed a “fevicol bond” with BRS and alleged that some leaders were attempting to stall a CBI probe into Kaleshwaram. Reiterating his government’s stand, he said Telangana would step up pressure on the Centre, including seeking an appointment with the CBI director in Delhi.

With regard to the phone-tapping case, Revanth Reddy said that the matter was under court supervision and investigations were progressing. On the Formula E race case, he said a chargesheet had been filed and the issue was now before the court.

Revanth Reddy accused the BJP of pursuing a “hidden agenda” and spreading misinformation on women’s reservation. He questioned the lack of clarity on constituency delimitation and described the concept of one nation-one elections as complicated. He said constitutional amendments required a two-thirds majority and accused the Centre of introducing bills on delimitation without adequate numbers.