HYDERABAD: In a sharp attack on BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy alleged that pink party leaders looted the state for 10 years, enjoying power while accusing others of family rule. Referring to BRS’ objection over the installation of a Rajiv Gandhi statue, he said: “You built a farmhouse and Pragati Bhavan on 1,000 acres. Ten years weren’t enough to install the statue of Telangana Talli?”
On Monday, Revanth unveiled the statue of the former prime minister in front of the Secretariat. Addressing the gathering, he said that the event was not a place for political discussions, but added that he had to address certain issues since some political forces were opposing the installation of the statue of a great Indian leader like Rajiv Gandhi.
Recalling the legacy of Chakali Ilamma, a key figure during the Telangana Armed Struggle, Revanth said that Ilamma had declared that gadis (forts) should be liberated from the doras (feudal lords). Drawing inspiration from her, the chief minister pledged that KCR’s farmhouse would soon be filled with jilledu (milkweed) plants and said the Congress would not rest until that day.
Subsequently, he said, “Some unscrupulous elements are speaking about family politics. Indira Gandhi did not take any post while Nehru was the prime minister. Indira Gandhi is still worshipped as a goddess by the poor. She nationalised the banks and worked for the development of the poor. Indira Gandhi is credited with abolishing Privy Purses. She provided housing for the poor and fulfilled their dream of owning a house. During her rule, the Lambada community was included in the Scheduled Tribes category, and backward communities were given reservations. Indira Gandhi sacrificed her entire life for the country.”
Revanth: KTR would have sold tea in Siddipet if not for late PM
The chief minister praised Rajiv Gandhi, stating that he took charge when the nation was in crisis.
“Rajiv Gandhi gave the right to vote to 18-year-olds, empowering the youth. He is credited with amending the Constitution to provide more powers and funds to gram panchayats and introducing women’s reservation in local bodies. Rajiv Gandhi also spearheaded the technological revolution in India,” the chief minister said.
Taking a jab at KTR, Revanth said: “If not for Rajiv Gandhi’s introduction of computers in the country, KTR might have had to sell idlis and eggs in Guntur or tea in Siddipet. KTR has reached this level because of Rajiv Gandhi’s vision, yet the BRS leadership remains arrogant despite having lost power in the state.”
He then issued a challenge to those threatening to remove Rajiv Gandhi’s statue: “Let them come. I will see what happens. The BRS government was asleep for 10 years, and today the Congress government is installing the Telangana Talli statue inside the Secretariat. On December 9 this year, the Telangana Talli statue will be unveiled at the Secretariat.”
Revanth also criticised KCR, stating that the former chief minister did not pay his last respects to Konda Laxman Bapuji, a noted Telangana freedom fighter who had given shelter to BRS leaders. He announced that his government had named the IIHT after Laxman Bapuji, renamed the women’s university after Ilamma and would rename the Telugu University after Suravaram Prathapareddy.
The chief minister also accused KCR of instigating his party members after having lost power: “The Kalakeya gang has turned into a swarm of locusts, ready to attack and devour Telangana again. I appeal to the people to be on high alert and throw out this army of locusts from Telangana.”