In a fiery address on Sunday, senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former minister T Harish Rao launched a blistering attack on Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, questioning the very legitimacy of his administration. The sharp critique centered on the government's inconsistent and controversial decisions regarding cinema ticket price hikes, a matter that has also drawn judicial scrutiny.
A Government of Contradictions?
Harish Rao expressed deep discontent with the Congress government's unwavering stance on increasing movie ticket prices, despite the issue raising concerns in the high court. He accused the administration of indulging in self-praise within the legislative assembly while making erratic and unpredictable decisions on the ground. The MLA emphasised the glaring disconnect between the government's public proclamations, its actual actions, and their subsequent portrayal in the media.
Broken Promises on Ticket Pricing
Directly challenging the Chief Minister, Harish Rao recalled the grand promises made in the assembly. "You proclaimed with great fanfare that as long as you occupy this seat, there will be no increase in movie ticket prices, no benefit shows, and no special privileges," he stated. However, he pointed out the stark reality where new government orders for price hikes appeared overnight.
"We already saw price hikes ordered for three films, and now you are poised to issue another for an upcoming release," Harish Rao alleged. He questioned the government's audacity in this matter, asking, "We are aware of your ability to mislead the assembly, but will you truly deceive the public so brazenly on the issue of movie ticket prices?"
Questioning Administrative Legitimacy
The core of Harish Rao's attack was a fundamental question about the nature of the government's rule. He openly questioned whether Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was leading a legitimate government or not, citing the policy reversals and contradictory statements as evidence of poor governance. The criticism from the prominent BRS figure highlights the growing political tension in Telangana, with the opposition closely scrutinising every move of the newly formed Congress government.
The issue of cinema ticket prices has become a significant flashpoint, merging public grievance with political opposition. Harish Rao's statements are likely to amplify the debate, putting pressure on the Revanth Reddy-led administration to clarify its policy and justify its decisions to the people of Telangana.
