Revanth govt @1: From loan waivers to land acquisitions, here is a look at hits and misses

Hyderabad: It has been a year of hits, misses, and controversies for the Telangana Congress government led by Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy.

Revanth Reddy, who is celebrating one year in office with grand shows, is trying hard to make his mark in every aspect of governance and erase as many KCR footprints as possible!

So much so that he has decided to install a new Telangana Talli (mother goddess for the people of Telangana) at the Secretariat complex on December 9, coinciding with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s birthday, dumping former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s crowned Telangana Talli.

Reason: The new nine feet Telangana Talli statue carved by Raju Prajapathi of Kishan Bagh truly reflects Telangana’s common, rural woman with koppu (top knot) and flowers in her hair unlike KCR/BRS “affluent” crowned, jewelry-wearing Talli!

Revanth mark

State emblem reflecting the “aristocracy and dictatorial mentality of KCR” too has been changed while the Telangana song “Jaya Jaya he” written by poet Ande Sri was modified and given now given the status of State song.

KCR partly took credit for the song and did not give State song status leading to controversy. The gate of the secretariat too is changed!

TS to TG on vehicles

Immediately after forming the government, Revanth Reddy ensured the Central government approved the TG (Telangana Government) prefix for new vehicle registration instead of TS (Telangana State) among other measures.

Kodangal gets dressed up

Like his predecessors, Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, KCR, and others in the past, Revanth Reddy too focused on the development of his Kodangal assembly constituency and set up Kodangal Area Development Authority (KADA) with a multi-crore development plant, approved 1000 acres at Rajendranagar for new High Court besides upgradation of 65 ITI colleges, revival of Nizam sugar factories etc.

A look back at Revanth Reddy’s spectacular win in the Assembly elections defeating BRS led by K Chandrasekhar Rao was no mean achievement since the former led a 14-year-old Telangana movement, achieved statehood, became its first CM, and served for two terms.

We have implemented promises: Revanth

“We have implemented what we have promised to the Telangana people. Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi, KCR, and others check it. I challenge them to prove it wrong,” asserts CM. As Revanth Reddy completes one year in office, the government has drawn up a series of programs to project government achievements in one year including implementation of its six guarantees and other promises, though some partially, and submit progress reports to people.

Congress government assumed office on December 7 2023 after a sensational win in the Assembly elections, the first after the formation of Telangana State and two-term wins by BRS government led by K Chandrasekhar Rao.

Revanth shows all the way

The credit certainly goes to Chief Minister and then TPCC president A Revanth Reddy, who led the Congress battle against the formidable BRS supremo and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar, the architect of Telangana. Though there were initial objections against his leadership and some were unhappy with the denial of nominated posts, due to High Command's direction and CM's deft handling of seniors, everyone fell in line!

Revanth Reddy, who was once in TRS, knew KCR’s mindset, gameplan, and acerbic tongue and paid him in the same coin. Like KCR, he too encouraged the defection of 10 MLAs and 8 MLCs (case pending in High Court) and other leaders to weaken BRS. Congress MLC T Jeevan Reddy objected to it. For the first time, Revanth Reddy proved a match for KCR, in both words and deeds!

A series of follies, arrogant behavior, and overconfidence cost KCR CM’s gaddi and a stunning win for Congress in Telangana State after a big win in neighboring Karnataka.

State on Marpu path!

“A year back the same day farmers who used to go to their fields early morning had gone to the polling booth to vote for “marpu” (change) and their vote changed their fortunes—Rs 2 lakh loan waiver, Rs 7,625 crore Rythu Bharosa, Rs 500 bonus for every quintal of paddy, Rs 10,444 crore free power, Rs 1433 Rythu Bheema, Rs 95 crore crop insurance, Rs 10,547 crore for purchase of paddy. We brought festival in the life of farmers spending Rs 54000 crore,” Revasnth said.

Asking farmers not to fall prey to the Opposition gameplan and participate in violent acts, he said after 70 years, a son of Mahbubnagar again became CM and it’s his responsibility to protect and help all sections of people including farmers and sought their cooperation.

For a change, Revanth Reddy also thanked seniors in the government for cooperating with him.

He plans to invite one lakh women from across the State for the mega event and showcase Glory of Telangana around Necklace Road abutting the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad among other programs slated from December 1 to 9. A public meeting of unemployed youth is being planned in the Peddapalli district on December 4 where 9,000 youth recruited for government jobs will be handed over appointment letters.

The government lists its achievements and implementation of poll promises, some partly within 25 days of coming to power. They include waiver off loans taken by 23 lakh farmers amounting to Rs 18,000 crore, free bus service to 1.1 crore women costing the exchequer Rs 3,600 crore, reduction in domestic LPG cylinder to Rs 500 from Rs 1,100, and free electricity up to 200 units, extension of government health scheme to private hospitals etc.

However, the government has yet to fully implement the popular Rythu Bharosa and other schemes. “We will deposit Rythu Bharosa amounts in the accounts of beneficiaries very soon,” asserts Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.

Caste survey

As promised to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Reddy also took up a caste survey in the State and it’s going on. He claims the government gave eight jobs per hour in the last ten months in Telangana, totaling 50,000 jobs!

Sway over government, party

Revanth Reddy continues to hold sway over the government, and party despite Mahesh Goud being appointed TPCC president besides garnering the confidence of the Congress High Command in New Delhi. Unlike in the past when Ministers and Congress leaders aired their views openly including their own CMs, the situation is different now. CM has complete control over the government and party.

Rahul Gandhi and the Congress High Command are not encouraging dissidence, which is helping the CM.

As one Congress leader opined, “It’s a different Congress now. Most of them are with Telugu Desam background. No one dares to question CM or his decisions. Congress High Command is backing him to the hilt now and there is no dissidence. Though some are unhappy, but have no choice.” But there are some like senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao who occasionally air their views openly but not so vociferous as in the past. High Command is watching!

From welfare to demolition man

Congress is known for welfare programs and people voted for the party’s six guarantees like Mahalakshmi, Rythu Bharosa, Gruha Jyothi, Indiramma Indlu, Yuva Vikasam, and Cheyutha besides 40 odd other promises to voters. But while implementing election promises in phases beginning with free bus travel for women which became a big hit, Revanth Reddy took everyone by surprise by establishing HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) headed by senior IPS officer A V Ranganath. Initially, no one took note of it.

With 12-member cabinet support including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Reddy got down to protect and rejuvenate lakes and other water bodies in and around Hyderabad among other places. But subsequent action sent shock waves across Hyderabad, the state and country.

N Convention, buildings, villas, sheds razed

In an unprecedented move, HYDRAA demolished Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna’s N Convention near a High-tech city for encroaching FTL (Full Tank Level)/buffer zone, besides scores villas, apartments, other structures in Ameenpur lake, Appa Cheruvu, Kistareddypet, Sunnam Cheruvu, Bhumruq Dowla lake, Chintal Lake, Nandagiri Hills, Kavuri hills etc., GHMC clearing of footpath encroachments followed by similar operations in districts.

Even a vociferous MIM was stumped by CM's actions and barring mild objections remained silent since their buildings were questioned on social media. Hydraa asserted it aims to restore water bodies, increase green cover, improve underground water recharge, enhance biodiversity in reclaimed areas, reclamation of valuable urban lands, etc. This led to legal battles and political unrest, but there was no stopping.

Controversial Musi project

Close on its heel, CM launched a multi-crore Musi Riverfront Development plan for the restoration of biodiversity, and flood management, a symbol of the ecological and cultural revival of Musi River. He sent elected representatives, officials, and journalists to Seoul, South Korea to study a successful project.

But the spate of demolitions of illegal structures along Musi sent shock waves and protests from BRS, BJP, MIM, and other parties. But courts while asking the government to ensure the rehabilitation of affected people, gave its nod. CM had the last laugh.

Realty crash

But HYDRAA actions led to a crash in the realty sector as buyers were unsure of the clear title of properties especially on the lake sides though the government refutes the charge. Though such actions ensured the protection of lakes and other water bodies, it created a sense of fear among the people owning houses about its title.

BRS, BJP target CM, Congress

Though rumors are being spread, especially by Opposition BRS and BJP that the CM may be out any time with the Cash for Vote case hanging like Damocle sword over his head, the CM looks unperturbed and calling the shots.

Congress High Command's confidence in Reddy is a clear indication of his being roped in for election campaign in Kerala and recently Maharashtra besides his cabinet colleagues and party leaders being drafted for poll campaigns in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Revanth tongue lashing

Reddy’s tongue-lashing against the KCR family remains unstoppable. Taking exception to comments against the government by KCR and KTR that BRS will return to power 100 percent in the ext polls as people understood what they had lost in the last 10 months, CM hit back saying, “It’s KCR family that lost four jobs. Telangana did not lose anything.”

Taking on KCR’s attack on him during BRS rule, Revanth Reddy is hitting back at BRS and its leaders with vengeance. The defection of MLAs Congress from BRS, exposing Kaleshwaram cracks and alleged misuse of funds, phone tapping cases, raids on KTR brother-in-law Raj Pakala’s farmhouse, food poisoning in hostels link to BRS MLA Talasani Srinivas Reddy and others seems to be just the beginning and indicating the unsparing attitude of Revanth Reddy government against KCR and team.

Taking a dig at KCR, he remarked,” We have seen absentees in the schools. We are seeing a strange situation where the main opposition leader is not attending the assembly session. He should come and give suggestions if any mistakes are found in governance. “

“Revanth Reddy is trying to finish off BRS and KCR politically and administratively,” a BRS leader said.

U-turn

CM was forced to make a U-turn when violence broke out in Lagcherla in Dudyal Mandal in Vikarabad district over land acquisition. Groups of villagers attacked Vikarabad Collector Prateek Jain and Kodangal Urban Development Authority (KUDA) Special Officer and Deputy Collector K Venkat Reddy and their team when they went to hold a public hearing on the proposed pharma unit. Dozens of people were arrested.

The government now says the land is being acquired for setting up industries and consequent job creation and not for not pharma unit in backward Kodangal, his native town! The issue also exposed CM’s brother’s involvement in government projects following a video viral over land acquisition.

“BRS is creating obstacles in Congress government’s developmental projects. K T Rama Rao will have to go to jail for his alleged conspiracy in the recent attack on a government official,” warned CM.

Reddy also accused KCR and T Harish Rao of putting spokes in the Narayanpet Kodangal lift irrigation project aimed at irrigating one lakh acres.

BRS hits back

After lying low, BRS leaders K T Rama Rao, T Harish Rao, and others have become active and hit at the government at every given chance.

A hyperactive KTR on X (Twitter) and public meetings said: “You (CM) might have power, but Telangana people's love and affection is towards KCR. Ask auto drivers, farmers, women, and unhappy students. One-year rule is rocked by failure. All sections are unhappy. And they are celebrating Vijaya Utsav. An addressless fellow is talking against us. Six guarantees and 420 promises are fake. You are no match to KCR.”

Failure on all fronts: BJP

BJP is not far behind in attacking the Congress government. Telangana BJP has decided to release a “charge sheet” against one-year anti-people’s policies of Congress rule. Union Minister and Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy Congress government failed to implement poll promises in toto including a Rs 4,000 monthly pension, new ration cards, filling vacant government posts, etc.