Deputy Chief Minister Calls for Voter Scrutiny Ahead of Telangana Municipal Elections
In a fiery address ahead of the crucial municipal elections scheduled for February 11, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka launched a scathing attack on the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Speaking at a public meeting following a rally in Wyra municipality, Khammam district, Vikramarka urged voters to critically question why they should support the BRS, alleging that the party had "looted the state for a decade" and plunged it into massive financial debt.
Housing Scheme Revival as a Key Poll Plank
Vikramarka emphasized the failures of the previous BRS government, particularly in housing for the underprivileged. He claimed that during its ten-year tenure, the BRS administration failed to deliver on promises of 2-BHK houses or house sites to the poor. In contrast, he highlighted the Congress government's revival of the Indiramma housing scheme, which he described as a initiative to ensure "dignity and self-respect" for economically weaker sections.
"The Congress government is providing 5 lakh rupees in financial assistance for the construction of each Indiramma house," Vikramarka stated. He further detailed that the construction of a majority of the 4.50 lakh Indiramma houses sanctioned in the first phase has been completed. The deputy CM asserted that the government is investing a substantial 22,500 crore rupees into the Indiramma housing project to uplift the living standards of the poor.
Personal Commitment to Wyra's Development
Asserting his local roots, Vikramarka declared himself a native of the Wyra region and, in his capacity as deputy chief minister, pledged to personally oversee the town's development. He made a direct appeal to the electorate to ensure the victory of all Congress and its alliance candidates in the upcoming municipal elections, framing the polls as a referendum on Wyra's future progress.
Vikramarka urged voters to deliberate carefully before casting their ballots, reminding them of the developmental legacy associated with Congress rule. "Every foundation laying and inauguration of development works in Wyra occurred during Congress government tenures," he claimed. He accused the previous BRS government of failing to initiate any new projects in the area.
Contrasting Development Records
The deputy chief minister listed several key infrastructures and facilities that he attributed to Congress administrations:
- Establishment of Shanti Colony, SC colonies, and ST colonies.
- Introduction and expansion of electricity facilities.
- Construction of hospitals and healthcare centers.
- Establishment of colleges and degree colleges.
By drawing this stark contrast, Vikramarka aimed to position the Congress as the party with a proven track record of delivering tangible development, while painting the BRS as an administration that neglected public welfare and burdened the state with debt. The municipal elections, covering 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, are now poised as a critical test of these competing narratives.
