It was high drama in Hyderabad on Tuesday with Congress and BRS going all-out against each other on the public debate challenge on farmers’ issue. While CM Revanth Reddy was in New Delhi, the mantle to hit back at BRS and KTR was taken by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. He minced no words while speaking at a public meeting held in Somala Tanda, Mahabubabad district

“They’re saying whatever they like about CM Revanth Reddy, claiming he doesn’t understand river basins. But didn’t he clearly explain the need to use Krishna and Godavari basin waters through a PowerPoint presentation at Praja Bhavan?”

Deputy CM reminded that KCR had publicly declared in Andhra Pradesh that the state could use Krishna-Godavari waters, ignoring basin priorities, and CM Revanth Reddy showed those video clips recently.

“CM Revanth Reddy declared that over Rs 1 lakh crore was spent on welfare schemes — TRS leaders cannot digest this truth. If they truly care about people, they should come to the Assembly, bring their data, and debate. Let’s see who is right, who is wrong. KCR is dodging the debate, sending someone else in his place. “If you really want to respond to the challenge, come to the Assembly — not a press club,” said the Deputy CM.

KTR arrived at the Press Club at 11 AM in response to the CM’s challenge for a debate but noted Revanth failed to appear, ridiculing his absence and questioning his political integrity. KTR set up an empty chair at the press club, symbolically inviting the CM or cabinet ministers to engage in debate. He stated this move was intended to expose the government's reluctance for public discourse. “I came but he ran away,” he said.

KTR said Revanth “knows how to create noise, not how to engage in debate,” and challenged him to either accept a proper debate or publicly apologize. The BRS leader accused the Congress government of deceiving farmers over the past 18 months, alleging that promises—such as the six guarantees and bond papers—remain unfulfilled.

Meanwhile, several Congress leaders have vehemently responded to KTR's challenge issued at the Press Club, raising questions about his approach to legislative debate and public accountability.

Responding to KTR's comments, Ponnam asserted that if KTR genuinely wishes to debate, he should first secure a formal letter from his father KCR confirming his role as opposition leader. He emphasized that democratic debate belongs in the Assembly, urging KTR to engage in structured legislative discussion rather than street-level political showmanship.

He criticized KTR’s preference for press club theatrics over meaningful Assembly dialogue, saying only in the legislature will the truth of each party’s governance efforts be revealed. Congress MLC Addanki Dayakar criticized KTR’s avoidance of Assembly debates, stating he lacks respect for democratic institutions and challenged him to bring his father KCR to face discussions in the Assembly.

Dayakar remarked, “KTR has no real stature—we are beyond him,” accusing him of deflecting serious political discourse with dramatic antics. He claimed BRS leaders, including KTR and KCR, have failed to engage meaningfully in legislative discussions and called them “Assembly absconders.”