KTR to CM Revanth: Why challenge debate on farmers’ issues if you won’t attend?

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on chief minister A Revanth Reddy, accusing him of evading accountability by skipping an open debate on farmers’ issues that he himself had challenged KTR to attend.

CM absent, KTR waits

KTR arrived at the Somajiguda Press Club at 11 am, accompanied by senior BRS leaders, elected representatives and a large number of party workers, ready with documents and data to counter the Congress government’s claims on farmers’ welfare. However, the chief minister did not turn up, reportedly travelling to Delhi instead.

“Revanth Reddy challenged me to an open debate, and I came prepared with facts. But he ran away from his own challenge,” KTR told the media after waiting for nearly thirty minutes.

‘Congress has failed Telangana farmers’

Slamming the Congress regime, KTR alleged that over 600 farmers have died by suicide since the party came to power. “Did the chief minister even observe a minute’s silence for them?” he asked.

He further criticised CM Revanth for failing to implement his poll promises. “He said six guarantees would be fulfilled within 100 days. It has been 18 months, and not a single guarantee has been delivered,” KTR alleged.

‘Prepared with proof, CM lacked courage’

The BRS leader said he came with lists of farmers in Kodangal who have not received Rythu Bharosa benefits, details of pending loan waivers and names of farmers who died due to crop losses and neglect.

“I was ready for a fact-based discussion in front of the people and media. But the chief minister, who makes tall claims, disappeared when it came to accountability,” he said.

‘Indiramma Emergency under Congress rule’

KTR accused the Congress government of dragging Telangana back to the days of fertiliser shortages, transformer explosions and long queues for supplies. He termed the current situation an ‘Indiramma Emergency’, alluding to both administrative failures and suppression of dissent.

He also alleged that CM Revanth was functioning as a covert agent of Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu by diverting Telangana’s Krishna and Godavari waters to Andhra Pradesh.

“Revanth is betraying Telangana’s farmers while pretending to protect their interests,” he alleged.

‘Debate anywhere, anytime’

Concluding his remarks, KTR offered CM Revanth another chance for debate. “Choose any time, date, and place. We are ready for an open debate anywhere, even at Jubilee Hills Palace, if that suits him. But don’t issue hollow challenges and run away. If he cannot face a discussion, he should apologise to KCR garu and Telangana’s farmers for his failures,” KTR said.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar challenges KTR

"If KTR really wants a debate, let him first get a letter from KCR recognising him as Opposition Leader. Debates happen in Assembly, not outside. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy asked for discussion in Assembly itself – everything will be on record. If you have courage, come there," Minister for BC Welfare and Transport Ponnam Prabhakar.