Hyderabad: Telangana Welfare Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar questioned former minister and BRS leader Jeevan Reddy over his recent criticism of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The minister asked whether KCR, KTR and members of the Kalvakuntla family had suddenly become good people after Jeevan Reddy changed parties. He said Jeevan Reddy had previously attacked them sharply while he was in the Congress.
Responding to Jeevan Reddy’s remarks against the Chief Minister, Lakshman Kumar recalled his earlier criticism of KCR. “No one in this state abused KCR as much as you did,” he said. The minister challenged Jeevan Reddy to identify any field where crops had dried up due to a lack of water instead of making allegations about power shortages.
On Friday, Lakshman Kumar joined MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar and Collector B. Satya Prasad in laying the foundation stone for a new 33/11 kV electricity substation in Jagityal Urban Colony. The project was being taken up at a cost of Rs 2 crore. During the event, the minister also responded to Jeevan Reddy’s political remarks.
Jeevan Reddy criticism over past remarks on KCR and Kaleshwaram
Lakshman Kumar said records contained Jeevan Reddy’s statements about KCR, KTR and the Kaleshwaram project between 2014 and 2024. He recalled that Jeevan Reddy had alleged corruption worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the project. He had also accused the Kalvakuntla family of entering politics to exploit public resources, the minister said.
Lakshman Kumar noted that Revanth Reddy had responded after Jeevan Reddy lost the Assembly election. The Chief Minister had even announced that he would induct Jeevan Reddy into the Cabinet, he said.
The minister questioned why Jeevan Reddy had begun addressing the Chief Minister in a disrespectful manner immediately after switching parties. He also asked whether KCR had regularly granted appointments to his own party MLAs or even the deputy chief minister when the BRS governed Telangana.
By contrast, Lakshman Kumar said ministers and public representatives in the current government could meet Revanth Reddy to discuss public grievances whenever necessary. He added that the Chief Minister regularly reviewed pending issues.
The minister said the government continued welfare schemes despite financial constraints. He also stated that Revanth Reddy had instructed officials to ensure adequate power supply to farmers amid weather concerns, including El Niño.
Lakshman Kumar questioned what KTR had achieved during his visit to Singareni, referring to his appearance with a grown beard. He advised Jeevan Reddy, who is around 70 years old, to reflect on his own statements. The minister expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in Telangana.