Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has challenged former CM and BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) to an open debate in the Legislative Assembly on the Godavari-Banakacharla project. Addressing the Rythu Bharosa Vijayotsavam in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister called on KCR to formally request a discussion through the Speaker, stating that Minister Sridhar Babu would ensure the Assembly is convened on a date of KCR’s choosing.
“If you truly have integrity, let’s discuss who wronged Telangana in terms of Godavari water usage. I’ll come with all facts—you must come too,” Revanth said, throwing down a direct challenge to the BRS chief.
Revanth Reddy accused KCR of failing to complete even a single irrigation project initiated during the Congress regime. He alleged that the Kaleshwaram project had turned into a financial disaster, stating, “Over ₹1 lakh crore went into the Godavari, and the project collapsed. Farmers say that even hanging you at the project site wouldn’t be wrong—is that not the truth?”
He went on to question why critical projects like Kalwakurthy, Bheema, Nettampadu, Sitarama, and Devadula remained incomplete under BRS rule, despite requiring significantly less investment compared to Kaleshwaram. “Kalwakurthy needed just ₹1,000 crore—why was it stalled? Why didn’t ₹200 crore finish Nettampadu?” he asked.
On allegations regarding Andhra Pradesh’s neglect of Telangana projects during the united state era, Revanth asked KCR, “You blamed Seemandhra for ignoring Telangana. What did you do for a decade? Did you complete even one project?”
Revanth also launched a scathing attack on KCR and his family over alleged corruption. “You looted ₹1 lakh crore and encroached on thousands of acres. You’re now running a malicious campaign against me over Banakacharla,” he said. He added, “If I wanted to side with Chandrababu, I would have stayed there. Why would I come here to seek Rajiv Gandhi’s blessings?”
Highlighting his commitment to Congress values, Revanth reminded the audience that while KCR allegedly betrayed Sonia Gandhi, he himself joined the Congress and walked with the people. “With the blessings of the people, I became CM at a young age and brought back farmers’ dignity,” he said.
Revanth cited the release of ₹7,625 crore under Rythu Bharosa and ₹20,617 crore for farm loan waivers benefiting over 25.35 lakh farmers as proof of his government’s commitment. “We inherited a state economy weakened like a cancer patient and still stood by our farmers,” he said.
Accusing the BRS leadership of personal enrichment, he questioned how family members of KCR acquired properties in Moinabad, Janwada, and Gajwel. “Before Telangana, what was your financial status? Today, you are wealthier than Nizam rulers, yet Telangana is bankrupt,” he alleged.
He contrasted this with his government’s efforts, stating that 60,000 jobs had been filled in just one year. “If you want, let’s gather at LB Stadium—I’ll count heads and prove it,” he said, challenging KCR to publicly share job data from the BRS era.
“While you looted ₹1 lakh crore in the name of Kaleshwaram, we spent ₹1.04 lakh crore on farmers in 18 months,” Revanth claimed, adding that agriculture had been transformed into a festival under his leadership.
He concluded with an appeal to the public: “Think, assess, and judge. This is a government of the people—transparent, accountable, and rooted in service.”