‘Prove a better growth story than Telangana, I’ll quit politics’

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Wednesday challenged the Congress and BJP to prove that any Indian state achieved greater progress in a similar period than Telangana under the BRS government, saying he would quit politics if they succeeded.

Speaking at the “Meet the Press” programme at Somajiguda Press Club during Telangana statehood celebrations, KTR credited former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) for transforming Telangana into a model state and said Telangana was formed due to KCR’s relentless struggle.

Highlighting the BRS government’s achievements, KTR said Telangana became a leader in per capita income, agricultural growth and investments. He said the state pioneered 24-hour free power supply for farmers and launched the Rythu Bandhu scheme.

KTR said every district was given a medical college and Hyderabad emerged as a global technology hub, attracting companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple and Uber. He added that IT employment rose from three lakh to ten lakh jobs during the BRS rule.

He also highlighted infrastructure and irrigation projects, including the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation schemes.

Criticising the Congress government, KTR alleged that while BRS added ₹2.8 lakh crore debt in ten years along with major development works, the present government borrowed nearly Rs 4 lakh crore in two-and-a-half years. He also defended the Double Bedroom Housing scheme and challenged the government to fulfil its promise of constructing 20 lakh houses.

Telangana is sons of the soil’s jagir, KCR is our OG

BRS Working President K T Rama Rao strongly countered Jana Sena chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s remarks on Telangana, asserting that the state belongs to its four crore people who fought and sacrificed for its formation.

KTR said Telangana was born out of decades of struggle, sacrifices and movements against oppression. Calling BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao the “OG” of Telangana, he said the state’s leadership and self-respect would always remain with its people.

While welcoming people from all regions to live and do business in Telangana, he said no one would be allowed to “dominate” the state. “We respect Pawan Kalyan as an actor and Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. We will serve him Hyderabadi biryani as a brother, but we will not accept anyone trying to rule Telangana,” he said.

Reacting to criticism of regionalism, KTR questioned whether Potti Sriramulu’s fast for Andhra State was also regionalism. He also alleged that industries meant for Telangana were being diverted to Gujarat in the name of nationalism.

KTR said Telangana did not need lessons in patriotism from anyone and criticised holding meetings on Telangana Formation Day while questioning the state’s creation.

He clarified that Jana Sena was free to contest elections in Telangana but said leaders must respect the aspirations and sacrifices of Telangana people.