HYDERABAD: Making it clear that he is not someone who would tolerate his family, particularly the women of his household, being abused in filthy language on social media in the garb of “journalism,” a visibly angry Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday said that his government would not hesitate to enact or amend legislation to control such filth.
He also cautioned BRS president and Leader of the Opposition K Chandrasekhar Rao to set his party leaders on the right path.
“My blood boils when I hear such abusive language directed at my family members. Why is KCR not disturbed when such language is used against my wife and daughter?” the chief minister said, criticising the BRS for condemning the arrest of those responsible for offensive social media content.
The chief minister’s remarks came during his marathon 2.5-hour reply to the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the Legislative Assembly.
Addressing the issue of political discourse on social media, he warned that his supporters could retaliate against abusive trolling. However, Revanth made it clear that he has urged them to refrain from taking action, as he was committed to upholding the law.
“If these trolls hide behind anonymity, we will expose them and thrash them,” he warned.
Directly addressing the BRS supremo, he said, “KCR, tell your children that this is not right.” He alleged that the BRS was attempting to mentally harass him for political gain.
Opposition deriving sadistic pleasure from crises: CM
The chief minister stated that his government was prioritising the completion of irrigation projects at a rapid pace. Revanth referred to the February 22 accident at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project, accusing the BRS of taking sadistic pleasure in such incidents.
“Opposition leaders eagerly wait for crises in Telangana, whether they affect farmers or students. Instead of expressing solidarity during tragic incidents, the BRS celebrates them,” he alleged.
CM: KCR betrayed M’nagar voters
Whether it is a mishap, farmers facing losses, or workers and students suffering, KCR, his son (KTR), and nephew (Harish) seem to be rejoicing. They appear gleeful in such moments. Their behaviour reminds me of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin,” Revanth alleged.
‘KCR’s follies cost TG dearly’
Revanth accused the previous pink party regime of betraying Mahbubnagar despite voters from the district electing KCR to the Lok Sabha. He argued that if the Jurala project had been completed, Telangana could have diverted 5 tmcft of water from Srisailam. Revanth also accused KCR of remaining silent while AP diverted water from the Nagarjunasagar Project.
He alleged that KCR, who was appointed as a Union minister with the “blessings” of the then CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy, helped the latter increase the capacity of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator to take Krishna water to Rayalaseema. “This led to water scarcity in Telangana, forcing people to migrate. If the BRS had not supported it, they would not have been able to increase the capacity of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator,” Revanth charged.
He also accused KCR of kneeling before AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu and settling for 299 tmcft after the formation of the state. “He is one of the reasons for farmer deaths. KCR reduced the Jurala project’s capacity from 2 tmcft to 1 tmcft and helped AP,” Revanth charged.
Revanth alleged that the KCR regime delayed the SLBC tunnel project for 10 years, when it was supposed to be completed in four years.
Telangana’s debt
Responding to allegations that the Congress government had taken loans amounting to Rs 1.58 lakh crore, the CM provided details on the state’s financial position. He stated that when the Congress assumed power on December 7, 2023, the state’s total debt stood at Rs 8,19,151 crore. He explained that of the Rs 1,58,041 crore borrowed by the Congress as of February 28, as much as Rs 88,591 crore was used to repay the principal on previous loans, while Rs 64,768 crore was paid as interest.
He further stated that the government had repaid a total of Rs 1,53,359 crore in 15 months. As a result, the net debt incurred by the Congress was only Rs 4,682 crore. “If we had not repaid the debt, the state’s total debt should have been Rs 8,27,298 crore, but it currently stands at Rs 7,38,707 crore,” he said, challenging the BRS to debate the issue in the Assembly.
No demands please: CM
Responding to a question on granting DA to employees in the Council, Revanth said the state is facing a tough situation, relying on loans from the RBI to pay salaries on the first of every month. He urged employees not to make new demands and suggested they adopt the Japanese model of working extra hours as a form of protest.
Later in the day, Revanth expressed confidence in securing a second term as CM. He asserted that beneficiaries of his government’s welfare schemes will vote for him and that he believes in the future of the state rather than the “stature” of an individual.
Debt Overview
State debt as of Dec 7, 2023: Rs 8,19,151 crore
Loans taken by the Cong govt (as of Feb 28): Rs 1,58,041 cr
Principal repayment of previous debts: Rs 88,591 cr
Interest paid: Rs 64,768 crore
Loan repayment in 15 mnths: Rs 1,53,359 cr
Net debt incurred by the Cong govt: Rs 4,682 crore
Current state debt: Rs 7,38,707 crore
‘Easy money for KCR’
Criticising KCR for avoiding Assembly proceedings, the chief minister pointed out that the LoP had attended only two sessions in the past 15 months, despite receiving a salary of Rs 57,84,144.
He said he was prepared to answer any questions raised by the BRS, had KCR been present in the House. Revanth also claimed that KCR faced threats from within his own family, which he said was the reason for the former chief minister’s heavy security and distancing from family members.
Reacting to the BRS demand for an apology over his ‘mortuary’ remarks, the CM said, “I said you [BRS] had the stature of ruling party, and are now reduced to being the Opposition. In Lok Sabha elections, the stature went into the mortuary with zero seats. I said the BRS is in the mortuary. Harish Rao and KTR are projecting it as if my remark was aimed at KCR. I want KCR to live 100 years and be in Opposition.”