Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Feb 16: Amid controversy over his “Nene Raju, Nene Mantri” remark, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday clarified that the statement referred to his dual roles as constitutional head of the state and Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) minister, and was not an assertion of authority.
Addressing a gathering at the birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, Revanth said the comment was made in the context of the recent municipal elections.
“I am not a ruler but a public servant,” he asserted.
Stating that the ruling Congress party had won nearly 90 per cent of the seats in the municipal polls, the chief minister accused opposition leaders of twisting his words as they were unable to “digest Congress’ victory.” He alleged that opposition parties had long projected themselves as being “born to rule.”
“We do not get carried away by victory or disheartened by defeat. We work relentlessly for the people,” he said, adding that he would continue to serve actively for the next 20 years.
Revanth also targeted K. Chandrasekhar Rao, chief of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), alleging that the promise of appointing a Dalit chief minister during the party’s 10-year tenure was not fulfilled. He said the Congress government had appointed a Dalit as Speaker and inducted four ministers from the Scheduled Castes (SC) community, providing 30 per cent of posts to SCs who constitute about 15 per cent of the population.
Highlighting development initiatives, the chief minister said BT roads would be laid in all tribal hamlets (tandas), describing road connectivity as a benchmark of progress. He announced that government schools, gram panchayat buildings, water tanks and solar pump sets for drinking water would be developed in tribal habitations.
He alleged that Mission Bhagiratha, launched during the previous BRS regime, had failed to ensure safe drinking water in several rural areas.
Revanth also announced plans to install a giant statue of Sant Sevalal Maharaj in the Nallamala forest and to hold the next birth anniversary celebrations on a grand scale, ensuring that all structures would reflect tribal traditions. He said Sant Sevalal had inspired nearly 15 crore Lambadas across the country to follow the path of peace.
Emphasising education as a means of empowerment, he said that although the government lacked surplus land for distribution, it was committed to providing quality education and encouraging tribal students towards planned growth. He added that capable officials from the community had been appointed to motivate students and reiterated that the issue of SC classification had been addressed by the government.