Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of misleading people on key promises, alleging failures in welfare, jobs, and support for tribal communities.
Speaking to the media in Kodangal on Friday, he said the government had not honoured commitments made to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He also alleged that farmers’ concerns had been ignored. Moreover, he said the administration had provided misleading information on employment opportunities. Through these claims, Harish Rao accused Revanth of failing to deliver on multiple fronts.
He said it was ironic that the Chief Minister was addressing governance in other states while issues persisted in his own constituency. According to him, tribal communities in Kodangal continued to face land disputes, harassment, and official neglect. Therefore, Harish Rao accused Revanth of overlooking ground realities.
Referring to the Lokamasand Maharaj Bavoji temple, he said access had once been difficult due to poor connectivity. However, he said the previous BRS government addressed the issue. He noted that former MLA Narender Reddy secured ₹8 crore for a bridge, improving access to the temple.
He added that ₹80 lakh was sanctioned for the temple and ₹50 lakh for a Banjara Bhavan under K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s leadership. These measures, he said, reflected a focus on tribal dignity and welfare. As a result, Harish Rao accused Revanth of failing to sustain such initiatives.
Harish Rao accuses Revanth on tribal welfare and spending
Harish Rao said tribal organisations like the Lambada Porata Samithi had struggled for decades without adequate response. He said significant steps were taken only during the BRS government. These included converting 3,100 tribal hamlets into gram panchayats to strengthen local governance.
He also cited measures such as celebrating Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti officially and increasing ST reservations from 6% to 10%. In addition, he said pattas were distributed for six lakh acres of podu land. Reservations for SCs and STs in market committees and wine shop allotments were also implemented, he added.
He said Mission Bhagiratha provided drinking water connections to tribal tandas in Kodangal. He also pointed to the establishment of degree colleges for girls in backward areas. However, he alleged that the current government had not continued similar efforts.
Harish Rao said the government allocated ₹2,730 crore to the ST Corporation but spent only ₹52 crore. Rao described this as evidence of weak commitment. Harish Rao further claimed that no meaningful financial support had reached ST beneficiaries in two and a half years.
Rao said ST students were not receiving fee reimbursement. He also alleged that no Lambada leader had been given a ministerial post in the current government. Therefore, Harish Rao accused Revanth of failing to ensure representation and welfare.
Harish Rao accuses Revanth over Kodangal claims
Harish Rao alleged that tribal lands were being taken away in Kodangal. He also claimed that members of ST communities faced harassment and police excesses. According to him, such developments contradicted the government’s public claims.
He questioned the Chief Minister’s statements in other states, including Kerala, regarding welfare implementation. He said people outside Telangana could assess these claims against ground realities.
Issuing a direct challenge, Harish Rao asked Revanth Reddy to identify a single village in Kodangal where 100% farm loan waiver had been completed. He said such verification would reveal the actual situation.
He concluded that voters would see through what he described as exaggerated claims. Reiterating his criticism, Harish Rao accused Revanth of misleading the public while failing to address core issues in Telangana.