Senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former minister T Harish Rao has issued a stern warning to the Congress government in Telangana, stating that any move to abolish Siddipet district in a proposed administrative reorganisation will trigger a massive public revolt. He challenged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to target him personally if there was a grudge, rather than punishing the people of Siddipet.
From Water Crisis to Model Hub: The Siddipet Transformation
Addressing a public meeting in the district, which also saw BJP town president Pathri Srinivas and others joining the BRS, Harish Rao recounted the dramatic transformation of Siddipet. He painted a vivid picture of its past struggles, noting there was a time when families were hesitant to marry their daughters into Siddipet due to a severe water crisis. The town was infamous for its open drains and poor sanitation.
"Now there has been a sea change, and those problems are history," asserted Rao. He credited the previous BRS government with replacing open drains with an underground drainage system and ensuring tap water connectivity for every household. The development of community halls, proper waste management, and comprehensive street lighting has positioned Siddipet as a model for the entire state.
He emphasised that Siddipet has now emerged as a significant educational and medical hub, boasting colleges and hospitals, and has also grown as a spiritual centre with its temples.
A Fulfilled Dream Under Threat: The District Status
Harish Rao stated that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) fulfilled a four-decade-old dream of the people by granting Siddipet district status. However, he alleged that the current Congress administration, under CM Revanth Reddy, is conspiring to abolish the district and merge it back with Sangareddy, using the pretext of an excessive number of districts.
"If the district is removed, they will lose critical institutions such as the collectorate, medical college, and police commissionerate," he warned, highlighting the tangible losses the region would face.
A Direct Challenge and Allegations of Failed Promises
Rao issued a direct challenge to the Chief Minister, saying, "I challenge Revanth Reddy. If you have a grudge against me, target me directly, but do not punish the people of Siddipet." He vowed not to remain silent, threatening to launch a vigorous agitation if the district's existence is threatened.
Extending his criticism of the Congress government, Rao accused it of failing to deliver on its electoral promises. He pointed out that the much-publicised promise of providing one tola of gold for brides remains unfulfilled. Furthermore, he claimed that popular welfare schemes from the BRS era, like KCR Kits and Bathukamma sarees, have vanished.
He also alleged that farmers are suffering due to a lack of fertiliser, inadequate crop procurement, and the absence of financial support under schemes like Rythu Bandhu.
