Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Nov 9: Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday expressed confidence that the Congress will remain in power for the next eight years, asserting that the party’s governance and development record will ensure its continued mandate.
“Mark my word — Congress will be in power until June 2034 in Telangana,” Revanth Reddy said while addressing journalists at a ‘Meet the Press’ programme organised by the Hyderabad Press Club.
Listing the achievements of his government over the past two years, he said that the Congress had successfully revived Telangana’s growth momentum and had earned public trust through its welfare and infrastructure initiatives. He also predicted that the next Assembly elections would be held in June 2029, alongside the Lok Sabha polls, rather than in December 2028.
The Chief Minister accused the previous BRS government led by K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) of plunging Telangana into debt and mismanaging public resources. “When KCR took charge in 2014, Telangana had a surplus budget of Rs 16,000 crore. By 2023, he left behind a debt of Rs 8.11 lakh crore,” Reddy said, adding that despite massive spending, flagship projects like Kaleshwaram had failed to deliver results.
He further alleged that the BRS government spent Rs 1.85 lakh crore on irrigation projects without tangible benefits, neglected public education by closing 5,000 schools, and failed to appoint Vice Chancellors in universities.
Taking a personal swipe at KCR and his son, K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), the Chief Minister said, “Becoming Chief Minister is not in KTR’s destiny. KCR acted like Dhritarashtra for his son.”
Revanth Reddy also targeted Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, accusing him of prioritising Gujarat over Telangana’s development. “Kishan Reddy is playing Gujarat’s ‘Ghulam’ and obstructing Telangana’s growth,” he said.
The Chief Minister claimed that BRS and BJP share a ‘Fevicol bond’, questioning why the Centre had not launched a CBI probe into the Kaleshwaram scam despite the state government’s recommendation. He also pointed out that the Governor had not yet approved the arrest of KTR in the Formula E race case, three months after the state sought permission.
Highlighting Congress’s contribution to Telangana’s growth, Revanth Reddy said Hyderabad had become an IT and pharmaceutical hub due to the Congress governments’ policies. “Hyderabad contributes 40 per cent of India’s bulk drug supply and has attracted major investments from Eli Lilly, American Airlines, and McDonald’s,” he said.
He added that 65 per cent of Telangana’s income comes from Hyderabad, with Rangareddy district recording the highest per capita income in India, attributing this to Congress’s proactive governance.
The Chief Minister also listed the government’s welfare initiatives, including Rs 7,100 crore for free bus travel for women, raising Rajiv Aarogya Sri’s limit to Rs 10 lakh, and constructing a Rs 3,000 crore new Osmania Hospital. Other measures included Rs 21,000 crore in farm loan waivers, Rs 9,000 crore disbursed under Rythu Bharosa, subsidised LPG cylinders at Rs 500, free 200 units of power, and new ration cards.
Revanth Reddy noted that Telangana became the first state to implement Scheduled Caste sub-classification, established Young India Skills University and Police Schools, and initiated plans to bring 20 TMC of Godavari water to Hyderabad.
He concluded by crediting former Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy for his role in developing Hyderabad’s Metro Rail and reaffirmed his commitment to making Telangana a model state for inclusive development.