KAMAREDDY: BRS leader and former minister T Harish Rao on Sunday accused the BJP of discriminating against Telangana, saying the party’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas” had turned into “Bakwaas”.
Addressing a meeting of BRS workers at Gandhari in Yellareddy Assembly constituency, Harish Rao said people of Telangana had realised which government genuinely worked for them. “When asked who will return to power, people are clearly saying BRS,” he said.
During the programme, around 150 BJP activists, including local body representatives and Telangana movement leader Thanaji, joined the BRS. Harish Rao criticised the BJP for “talking about nation and dharma” while ignoring justice to Telangana. “The BJP never stood with the poor, farmers or Dalits. It only works for north India. Why is Telangana treated as if it is not part of India?” he asked.
Citing examples, he said although the Godavari river flows into Telangana first, the Union government sanctioned Rs 100 crore to Andhra Pradesh for the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu, while not a single rupee was given to Telangana. “Telangana elected eight BJP MPs but still got nothing. Is this not discrimination?” he asked.
He alleged that when the TDP came to power in Andhra Pradesh, the BJP extended help, but Telangana continued to be ignored. “If BRS MPs had been elected, we would have ensured that Delhi released Telangana’s rightful funds,” he said.
Harish Rao also pointed out that out of 157 new medical colleges announced by the Union government, none was allotted to Telangana.
Comparing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, he said that when the BJP came to power in 2014, the MSP for wheat and paddy stood at 1,400 per quintal.
“Today, wheat MSP is Rs 2,585 while paddy is Rs 2,369 — a difference of Rs 216. Why is North India’s wheat favoured over Telangana’s paddy? Because of this, every farmer in Telangana loses Rs 7,000 per acre. Is this BJP’s version of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’?” he said.
Harish Rao also questioned why none of the eight BJP MPs or two Union ministers from Telangana had spoken up for the State. “Had BRS been in Parliament, we would have ensured Telangana received its due share,” he said.
“Why did the BJP give a special package to Andhra Pradesh but deny the same to Telangana? Why is Telangana getting nothing in the Union Budget?” he added.
Harish Rao urged people to think carefully while voting, asserting that the mood across the state favoured the BRS and that the pink party’s president K Chandrasekhar Rao would return to power.