Hyderabad: Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy issued a direct KTR challenge, daring the BRS working president to contest elections from Khammam district.
While speaking to a news channel, Ponguleti reacted to K. T. Rama Rao’s recent Khammam tour. According to him, district visits and speeches alone would not help KTR politically.
Instead, Ponguleti asked KTR to enter the electoral fray himself rather than backing other candidates. He added that KTR could choose any constituency in the united Khammam district.
Further, the minister claimed the BRS had never secured a decisive victory in the region. As a result, he alleged that the party lacked real public support there.
KTR challenge amid allegations of bid to topple government
Meanwhile, Ponguleti alleged that the BRS attempted to destabilise the Congress government within six months of its formation. Therefore, he warned that the Congress would respond strongly to any such moves.
He also criticised KTR for making remarks against Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family. According to Ponguleti, such comments would only backfire politically.
Additionally, he accused the Kalvakuntla family of corruption and irregularities. On that note, he questioned KTR’s moral authority to criticise national leaders.
Referring to recent elections, Ponguleti said voters had repeatedly rejected the BRS. For instance, he cited Assembly, Jubilee Hills, and gram panchayat polls.
He further questioned KTR’s description of upcoming municipal elections as “semi-finals.” In his view, the claim lacked political substance.
Finally, Ponguleti advised KTR to first resolve internal issues within the party. Otherwise, he warned, continued rhetoric would only weaken the BRS further.