Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Former Minister and BRS MLA T Harish Rao has accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of blackmailing and abusing state resources to intimidate institutions and threaten citizens ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election. 

Speaking at a ‘Meet the Press’ event at the Press Club of Hyderabad, Harish Rao criticized Revanth Reddy for using the Right to Information (RTI) Act to extort money from business owners and real estate companies, a tactic the BRS leader claims is now being applied by the Chief Minister to instill fear instead of governing effectively.

Harish Rao alleged that Revanth Reddy is blackmailing private colleges waiting for overdue fee reimbursements and hospitals waiting for Aarogyasri payments. He accused the Chief Minister of threatening these institutions with police, vigilance, or municipal officers if they protest. “Instead of resolving issues, Revanth Reddy is using intimidation to control,” said Harish Rao, adding that government employees seeking overdue Dearness Allowances (DAs) and BRS supporters in Jubilee Hills are also being harassed to join the Congress.

The BRS MLA further criticized Revanth Reddy for warning voters that if they don’t support the Congress, welfare programs will be cut. Harish Rao questioned whether such tactics reflected a democratic process or a form of authoritarian rule. "Is he personally funding efforts to stop welfare programs?" he asked. He also described the Chief Minister as a "frustrated individual" who resorts to personal attacks to distract from his own failures.

Harish Rao pointed to the Congress's inability to fulfill promises made before the Secunderabad Cantonment by-election, and criticized Revanth Reddy for politicizing minority groups ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election. He also questioned why Congress only mentioned the late NT Rama Rao and P. Janardhan Reddy during the campaign. "Wasn’t Congress’s indifference responsible for PJR’s death? Why was his son not nominated in 2023?" he asked.

According to Harish Rao, the outcome of the Jubilee Hills election will have significant consequences for the future of Telangana, accusing Congress of allowing just a few families to dominate the state's power. He also expressed disapproval of the collaboration between Congress and BJP, claiming both parties are conspiring to weaken the BRS. Harish Rao further criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for remaining silent about alleged election fraud in Telangana, despite speaking out against similar issues in Bihar and Haryana.

Harish Rao condemned the police for raiding BRS MLC T. Ravinder Rao and former MLA Marri Janardhan Reddy’s properties while ignoring alleged chaos instigated by Congress. “Revanth Reddy has failed in every role—whether as Home Minister, Education Minister, Municipal Minister, or now as Chief Minister,” Harish Rao concluded, citing the rising crime rate in the state as evidence of his administration’s failure.