BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao challenged CM Revanth Reddy to a public debate on farmers’ issues, criticising the Congress for unmet promises and mishandling agriculture. KTR alleged a “covert rule” in Telangana and accused the CM of favouring Andhra interests.

Hyderabad: Upping the ante, BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Saturday accepted Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s challenge for a public debate on farmers’ issues at the Hyderabad Press Club at 11 am on July 8. If not feasible, the Chief Minister should announce the date and venue of his convenience, be it Kondareddypalle, Kodangal, Gajwel, Chintamadaka or any other place of his choice, he said.

“We will give him 72 hours to prepare as he is known to run away from discussions when cornered. He had challenged us and we accepted it. Let us see if he dares to face facts,” he declared.

Criticising Revanth Reddy for his lack of knowledge on Telangana’s needs, the BRS working president said the former could not differentiate between various basins, irrigation projects and even basic geography. He slammed the Congress government for failing to supply urea and fertilisers, forcing farmers to stand in serpentine queues and protest.

“The Congress has truly brought back ‘Indiramma Rajyam’ (Indira Gandhi’s rule) in Telangana, where farmers have to struggle for basic needs,” he added, reminding that by implementing numerous pro-farmer initiatives, Chandrashekhar Rao made agriculture remunerative for farmers and ensured their growth by all standards.

Speaking to mediapersons at Telangana Bhavan on Saturday, Rama Rao said the Congress was reneging on its poll promises. The government owes Rs 39,000 crore to farmers under Rythu Bharosa, crop loan waiver and also the promised Rs 500 bonus for fine variety rice.

He ridiculed Revanth Reddy’s boast of winning 100 seats in the next Assembly elections.

“Let them first win a ZPTC in the Chief Minister’s constituency,” he dared.

The former Minister also appreciated Congress MLA J Anirudh Reddy for openly speaking on covert agents in the Congress, stating that Revanth Reddy himself was serving as a covert agent of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. None of the people of Telangana were happy with the current Congress rule, excluding Revanth Reddy and his aides, he added.

“We are witnessing a “covert rule in Telangana. Revanth Reddy has become a PayCM like the digital payment app for the Congress high command. Efforts are being made to divert Telangana’s funds to Delhi and water to Andhra Pradesh silently,” he said.