Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS senior leader T. Harish Rao on Tuesday accused the Congress government of using saree distribution as an election tactic. He argues it is targeting women voters ahead of the upcoming Sarpanch elections.
Speaking to reporters, Rao alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was distributing sarees to only 40 lakh self-help group (SHG) women. In contrast, 1.3 crore women were covered annually under the previous BRS government. He cited Siddipet as an example. There, 3.83 lakh women reside, but only 1.99 lakh received sarees. There was no distribution in urban areas.
Harish Rao questions Congress promises on women’s welfare
Rao demanded clarity on the Congress’s unfulfilled promise of a ₹2,500 monthly allowance under the Mahalakshmi scheme. He called on the government to clear ₹60,000 dues for each eligible woman, accounting for the two-year delay.
He further alleged that the government has failed to deliver on multiple pledges, including interest-free loans for women. Additionally, they promised dedicated RTC buses and 1,000 MW of solar power support for women’s groups. While KCR provided festival-linked welfare, Rao said the current Congress administration is focused only on electoral benefits.
“The sarees are not being given for women’s welfare, but to buy votes,” Rao remarked, accusing the government of reducing public welfare to campaign optics.
సిద్దిపేట జిల్లా కలెక్టర్ కార్యాలయంలో సిద్దిపేట నియోజకవర్గ స్వయం సహాయక సంఘాలకు వడ్డీలేని రుణాల పంపిణీ కార్యక్రమంలో పాల్గొన్న మాజీ మంత్రి, ఎమ్మెల్యే @BRSHarish గారు
ఈ సందర్బంగా మాట్లాడుతూ…
🔹 కేసీఆర్ గారు ప్రతి బతుకమ్మకు 18 ఏండ్లు నిండిన కోటి 30 వేల మహిళలకు చీరెలు అందించారు..… pic.twitter.com/J660Wjvyih
— Office of Harish Rao (@HarishRaoOffice) November 25, 2025