In a significant pre-election push, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has positioned welfare spending and fresh commitments as the defining agenda of the Congress administration ahead of the crucial February 11 municipal elections. Addressing a spirited election rally in Miryalaguda, located in Nalgonda district, the CM detailed substantial financial allocations and launched a fierce political offensive against the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Substantial Municipal Development Investments
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy revealed that his government has allocated an impressive Rs 17,472 crore towards the development of municipalities and municipal corporations across Telangana over the past two years. Emphasizing his direct oversight as the minister holding the municipal administration and urban development portfolio, Reddy promised to significantly scale up these investments if Congress candidates secure victories across all 123 urban local bodies (ULBs) going to polls.
The CM specifically highlighted that Rs 2,028 crore has been spent on ULBs within the combined Nalgonda district alone, demonstrating targeted regional development. For Miryalaguda specifically, the Congress government has sanctioned Rs 295 crore for development projects, with assurances of additional funding in the coming years.
Immediate Welfare Announcements
Revanth Reddy made several time-sensitive welfare announcements during his campaign address. He confirmed that the substantial Rs 9,000 crore Rythu Bharosa amount would be deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts immediately following the municipal elections. This move aims to provide crucial financial support to the agricultural community.
Additionally, the CM announced that lakhs of additional Indiramma houses would be sanctioned starting April 2024, with specific allocations to be formally earmarked in the 2026-27 state budget. This housing initiative represents a major component of the government's social welfare architecture.
Appeal to Voters Based on Welfare Track Record
The Chief Minister presented voters with a comprehensive list of welfare schemes implemented during the Congress administration's two-year tenure. These include:
- Distribution of new ration cards to eligible families
- Provision of fine quality rice through public distribution
- 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers
- Rs 2 lakh crop loan waiver for farmers
- Rythu Bharosa financial assistance program
- Free travel on RTC buses for specific beneficiary groups
- Creation of 70,000 government employment opportunities
- Rs 500 subsidized gas cylinders under welfare schemes
- Expansion of Indiramma housing projects
"Before casting your vote, carefully consider whether you have benefited from one or multiple of these welfare initiatives," Revanth Reddy appealed to the electorate. "If the answer is affirmative, I urge you to support Congress candidates across all 123 ULBs in the upcoming February 11 elections."
Political Confidence and Future Projections
Displaying considerable political confidence, the Chief Minister asserted that only the state government can effectively implement comprehensive welfare and development programs. He urged urban voters to back Congress candidates to ensure continuity of these initiatives.
Looking beyond the immediate municipal elections, Revanth Reddy made a bold prediction about the Congress party's political future in Telangana. He confidently stated that the Congress would remain in power for another eight years by securing victory in the next assembly elections, indicating long-term strategic planning.
Sharp Criticism of Previous BRS Administration
The campaign speech featured particularly pointed criticism directed at the previous BRS government and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Revanth Reddy referenced the ongoing phone tapping investigation, alleging widespread surveillance during the BRS tenure.
"During the former government's administration, the phones of journalists, judges, film celebrities, and political leaders were systematically monitored," the CM alleged. He suggested that BRS leaders K T Rama Rao and T Harish Rao should have been brought for questioning with face masks or with black ink applied to their faces, similar to procedures followed with accused individuals in serious criminal cases.
Controversial Remarks on Telangana Leadership
In one of his most controversial statements, Revanth Reddy challenged the characterization of KCR as the "father of Telangana" (Telangana jati pita). Instead, he asserted that this honorific should rightfully belong to Professor K Jayashankar, whom he described as having sacrificed everything for the statehood movement.
The CM went further to suggest that Sonia Gandhi, who played a crucial role in granting statehood to Telangana, should be recognized as "Telangana Thalli" (Mother of Telangana). He directly referred to KCR as a "thief" in his criticism.
Allegations of Wealth Accumulation
Revanth Reddy leveled serious allegations against the former Chief Minister and his family, accusing them of plundering Telangana's wealth during their tenure. He specifically dared KCR, K T Rama Rao, and T Harish Rao to donate their extensive assets to the public.
"I challenge them to contribute their farmhouses, television channels, newspapers, and wealth worth thousands of crores to the people of Telangana," the CM declared. "If BRS leaders claim that serving notices on KCR is equivalent to serving notices on Telangana society, then logically their properties should also belong to the citizens of our state."
The Chief Minister also criticized the previous administration for allegedly deliberately failing to complete the SLBC (State Level Bankers' Committee) project, suggesting administrative negligence.
Development Initiatives in Miryalaguda
Earlier on the same day, Revanth Reddy participated in several development-oriented activities in Miryalaguda. He laid the foundation stone for an integrated residential school with an estimated project cost of Rs 200 crore, representing a significant investment in educational infrastructure.
The CM also distributed interest-free loan cheques to women members of self-help groups, supporting financial empowerment at the grassroots level. Additionally, he held interactive sessions with Congress candidates contesting from various wards within the Miryalaguda municipality, providing strategic guidance for the upcoming electoral battle.
As the municipal elections approach, Revanth Reddy's campaign combines substantial development promises with aggressive political positioning, setting the stage for a highly contested urban electoral battle across Telangana's 123 urban local bodies.
