Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday strongly defended the state’s proposed Rythu DISCOM initiative and launched sharp attacks on the opposition BRS and BJP over issues ranging from free power supply and paddy procurement to interstate water disputes and corruption allegations.
During an interaction with the media, Revanth Reddy challenged the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) over its opposition to the Rythu DISCOM proposal. He declared that if his government installs electricity meters on agricultural pump sets or discontinues free power supply to farmers, the Congress party would not contest the next elections. In return, he challenged the BRS to stay away from the electoral contest if the Congress government successfully continues free electricity without installing meters. The Chief Minister alleged that BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao was attempting to revive his political fortunes by exploiting farmers’ issues.
Revanth Reddy said the Rythu DISCOM was established with the objective of ensuring reliable and quality 24-hour free electricity to farmers. He stated that power consumed by government departments and various government-sponsored schemes would be linked to the new utility, which would improve accountability and enable the government to procure electricity more efficiently based on demand. He also criticized those opposing the proposal while public consultations were being conducted by the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission, questioning their right to criticize a system they fundamentally oppose.
The Chief Minister also targeted the BJP over paddy procurement, accusing the Centre of limiting its role to announcing the Minimum Support Price while leaving the responsibility of procurement to the state government. He asserted that the Telangana government was actively procuring paddy, jowar and maize from farmers and demanded that the Centre purchase the grain collected by the state. Revanth warned that if the Union government failed to procure the grain, Congress leaders would take the produce to the residences of BJP leaders who had previously organized campaigns demanding paddy procurement. He said the state had procured 62 lakh metric tonnes of paddy so far and had extended MSP benefits even to rain-damaged grain. He also reiterated that a bonus for fine-quality paddy would be announced shortly.
On interstate water disputes, the Chief Minister criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that while the Centre advocates cooperation between states, Telangana’s efforts to engage Maharashtra on the Tummidihatti project had not received a response. He questioned why the Centre could facilitate the transfer of seven Telangana mandals for the Polavaram project but could not help secure approvals from Maharashtra for projects benefiting Telangana.
Revanth Reddy also levelled fresh corruption allegations against the previous BRS government, claiming that operators of stone-crushing units were allegedly forced to pay ₹50 lakh each. He questioned senior BRS leader Harish Rao over the Idulakunta tank land issue and further alleged that Globarena, a company accused of irregularities affecting students, was a benami entity linked to BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao.
Responding to the controversy surrounding the installation of a statue of N. T. Rama Rao in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said personalities of NTR’s stature should not be dragged into caste or regional politics. He questioned why similar objections had not been raised in the past and maintained that political leaders should focus on development rather than divisive narratives.
Reiterating that his government’s primary focus remains Telangana’s development, Revanth Reddy said he was not interested in pursuing politics based on sentiment or controversy. He also clarified that the government is under no immediate pressure to conduct Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections and would take a decision on the matter at an appropriate time.