Warangal: Former Chief Minister and BRS President K. Chandrashekhar Rao staunchly defended his government’s track record, highlighting the monumental achievements during the BRS era that transformed Telangana into one of India’s leading states. Speaking at the party’s Silver Jubilee public meeting at Elkathurthy on Saturday, KCR asserted that Telangana had witnessed unparalleled growth under BRS leadership.
He recalled that Telangana was once mocked as a backward region, but under BRS rule, it emerged as a model state. The per capita income rose from ₹90,000 to ₹3.5 lakh, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) reached the highest ranks nationally, and several long-pending irrigation projects were completed. “We turned every barren land into fertile fields and created an abundance of crops,” he said.
KCR detailed the irrigation projects completed during his tenure, including Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bheema, Ellampalli, and Mid Manair, which brought lakhs of acres under cultivation. He proudly cited the Kaleshwaram Project, completed within three years, and Mission Kakatiya, which rejuvenated thousands of tanks across the state.
He highlighted the Mission Bhagiratha scheme, which delivered drinking water to every household without soliciting votes for it. KCR reminded the gathering that many had ridiculed his promise of 24-hour free electricity to farmers, yet the BRS government successfully delivered on it. “Today, borewells are dug even at midnight. Farmers never faced a power cut during our rule,” he said.
The BRS chief outlined the range of welfare initiatives launched during his tenure, including Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, Kalyana Lakshmi, KCR Kit, and Kanti Velugu. “Nobody asked us to implement these welfare measures. We initiated them because it was our duty to protect our people,” he stated.
Discussing industrial and employment growth, KCR said that Telangana attracted major investments, expanding IT exports from ₹40,000 crore to ₹2.5 lakh crore. Employment in the IT sector grew to seven lakh jobs, and over 25 lakh employment opportunities were created across various sectors.
He also stressed the transformative progress in education, especially for marginalised communities. Telangana expanded its Gurukul institutions from just three to over a thousand, providing quality education to lakhs of students. “We gave top-class facilities to poor students that once only rich people could afford,” he said.
KCR highlighted that Telangana under BRS governance remained free from communal riots and curfews, ensuring peace and security. “We protected peace like a mother protects her child,” he remarked. Citing official reports from the Reserve Bank of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Parliament, he asserted that Telangana’s growth was nationally recognised.
Responding to political criticism, KCR said that welfare schemes like Aarogyasri, introduced during Congress rule, were continued without hesitation because they served the people’s interests. “We never sought to erase anyone’s legacy. Unlike them, we respected good initiatives,” he said.
He reminded the people that the progress achieved under BRS rule was tangible and visible. “Everything we did is your lived reality — not just words or stories,” KCR said.
The BRS chief assured that the party was committed to regaining Telangana’s lost momentum and restoring the state’s former glory.