Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS leader T. Harish Rao attacked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over his Independence Day speech, alleging that it contained false claims about jobs, ration cards, farmer support and welfare schemes.
Addressing a press conference at the MLA camp office in Siddipet on Saturday, Harish Rao criticised the Chief Minister’s statements.
He alleged that Revanth Reddy began his speech at 4.25 pm and made “420 lies”. The BRS leader accused the Congress government of making false claims about ration cards issued during the previous BRS government.
Harish Rao also questioned the government’s employment claims. He said the government had stated in the Assembly that it provided 16,000 jobs but was now claiming to have filled 70,000 posts.
The job calendar had effectively become a “job-less calendar”, he said. He recalled Revanth Reddy’s promise to provide two lakh jobs during the first year of the Congress government.
However, the government had not even provided 16,000 jobs in three years, Harish Rao alleged. He also accused the Congress government of failing to release fee reimbursement funds and misleading students.
The BRS leader further criticised the government over Rythu Bandhu assistance. Revanth Reddy had promised to increase the amount by ₹2,000, but only ₹11,000 crore had been distributed during the financial year, he alleged.
Harish Rao questions government over farmer welfare
Harish Rao said the previous BRS government had deposited about ₹14,743 crore a year into farmers’ accounts.
He challenged Revanth Reddy to prove that the ₹2 lakh farm loan waiver had been fully implemented in the Chief Minister’s native village or any other village in Telangana.
“I will resign if he proves it. Otherwise, Revanth Reddy should resign,” he said.
Farmers were also unable to obtain fertilisers through the government app, he alleged. In addition, the State government had failed to maintain 24-hour power supply to agriculture, according to the former minister.
He claimed farmers were not receiving even 11 hours of electricity in some areas. Agricultural power connections were also not being provided across the State because of a shortage of material, he alleged.
The former minister also criticised the implementation of the Mahalakshmi scheme. He alleged that the government owed women ₹2,500 a month and claimed the outstanding amount had reached ₹80,000 per woman across the State.
He also referred to allegations of corruption within the Congress government. Congress MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and others had raised concerns about corruption, he claimed.
According to Harish Rao, the Congress government had deceived people to secure power. He predicted that voters would respond to its performance.
Singur water issue also raised
Harish Rao criticised the government over the Singur project. He alleged that Revanth Reddy had emptied the Singur reservoir, resulting in drinking water difficulties in Sangareddy, Narayankhed, Medak and Kamareddy.
The BRS leader also warned those spreading what he described as false allegations against him. He said he would approach the courts against people making such claims.
He demanded evidence to support the allegations. “Either show the evidence or apologise. I will not leave you, anybody,” he warned.
He further alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was afraid to convene the Assembly.
Harish Rao continued his criticism of the Congress government over employment, farmer welfare, welfare schemes and drinking water during the press conference in Siddipet.