HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, addressing a gathering on the occasion of Sri Mahatma Basaveshwara Jayanti on Wednesday, paid rich tributes to the 12th-century reformer and used the platform to sharply respond to recent criticisms from former CM K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR).
Revanth Reddy praised Basaveshwara as a revolutionary who laid the foundation for social transformation centuries ago. He said that his government draws inspiration from Basaveshwara’s ideals, especially his stand against caste, religious, and gender discrimination.
“Basavanna’s spirit lives in our democratic and Panchayati Raj institutions,” the CM remarked, adding that every individual deserves to live with dignity, and governments must create policies accordingly.
Without directly naming KCR, Revanth countered the former CM’s recent remarks at the Warangal public meeting, questioning whether his regret stemmed from losing power or from his corrupt actions being exposed.
Revanth also alleged that KCR, despite drawing salaries and benefits as the Leader of the Opposition, has avoided functioning actively, instead remaining confined to his farmhouse. He questioned how KCR, who availed ₹65 lakh, vehicles, and police protection, could skip his constitutional duties.
“He accuses us of halting welfare schemes—tell us, which of these has been stopped?” the CM asked, listing Rythu Bandhu, Arogyasri, free electricity, Shaadi Mubarak, Kalyana Lakshmi, free bus travel for women, and new job appointments as schemes actively running.
He challenged KCR to a debate on critical public issues—Kaleshwaram, loan waivers, the 60,000 jobs filled by the Congress government, caste census, SC classification, and more.
Drawing a sharp analogy, Revanth said, “A cat that ate a hundred rats goes on a pilgrimage. That’s how KCR arrived in Warangal.” He accused KCR of washing away his past sins with lies at the rally and noted that the former CM could not even utter Revanth’s name.
Revanth closed his address by asserting that under Basaveshwara’s vision, Telangana’s wealth must be redistributed to the poor. “Our government is here to serve the people, not just to promote itself. You—the people—are our brand ambassadors,” he declared.
