Karimnagar: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has alleged that BRS MLC K. Kavitha’s letter has unambiguously exposed a long-suspected political understanding between the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while also laying bare a breakdown of internal democracy within the BRS.
At a press briefing in Karimnagar, Prabhakar questioned why top BRS leaders—party chief K. Chandrashekar Rao, working president K.T. Rama Rao, and senior minister T. Harish Rao—have remained silent on the serious issues raised in the letter. Kavitha had reportedly questioned why veteran party members, including herself, have been sidelined and denied a voice, despite being associated with the party since its inception in 2001.
He said the Congress had long contended that BRS and BJP function like choreographed opponents—friendly in Delhi, combative in Hyderabad. “The letter proves what we have always said. While BJP and BRS pretend to clash publicly, in reality they share a tacit understanding,” Prabhakar stated.
Highlighting specific points from the letter, he noted that Kavitha asked why the party avoided sharp criticism of the BJP’s governance at the Centre, despite sustained injustice to Telangana—be it in budget allocations, unfulfilled bifurcation promises, or controversial moves like diverting the Sileru power project.
Prabhakar also alleged that during the Hyderabad local elections, BRS had informally offered to support BJP candidates, although local dissent from both parties prevented the deal’s execution. He claimed this was not an isolated instance, pointing to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections where, according to him, BRS effectively surrendered to BJP dominance.
He further demanded that the BJP respond to allegations that its former state president, Bandi Sanjay, was replaced by Kishan Reddy as part of an understanding with KCR. “Was Kishan Reddy nominated on KCR’s recommendation?” he asked, urging the BJP to clarify.
Responding to accusations that MLC Kavitha was in touch with the Congress, Prabhakar dismissed them as baseless and aimed at deflecting from the party’s internal crisis. “This is not about one person. This is about a party where even the president’s daughter is denied space to speak, let alone grassroots workers,” he said.
Prabhakar also condemned what he described as the BJP’s political vendetta through investigative agencies, referencing the ED’s probe into the National Herald case. He defended the legacy of the Gandhi family, stating that their political contributions to India far outweigh any allegations.
On Kaleshwaram, he reminded that the structure’s failure occurred under the BRS rule, and rebuffed attempts to scapegoat the Congress. He noted that Congress leaders, including himself, had visited the site and sought accountability.
He contrasted Congress’s democratic ethos with what he described as the centralised control in BRS, pointing to developments brought to Karimnagar under Congress leadership—law and engineering colleges for Satavahana University, integrated schools, and progress on clearing waste dumps.
Prabhakar listed ongoing development work, including double-bedroom housing, medical and nursing colleges, and the distribution of Indiramma houses in line with state-wide efforts. “When development happens, it should be claimed responsibly, not opportunistically,” he added.