Telangana CM Frames Municipal Polls as Direct Verdict on BJP and BRS
In a significant political move, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has positioned the upcoming February 11 municipal elections as a direct verdict on both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the state. Addressing a media conference at his residence on Monday, Reddy declared that the civic polls have effectively transformed into a triangular contest between the Congress, BRS, and BJP.
Urging Urban Voters for a 'Massive Urban Mandate'
The Chief Minister made a passionate appeal to urban voters across seven municipal corporations and 116 municipalities to deliver what he termed a 'massive urban mandate' in favor of the Congress party. He cautioned citizens against being swayed by what he described as 'small emotional issues' and urged them to judge the competing parties strictly by their record in power.
"Neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao did anything significant for Telangana and its people since 2014," Revanth Reddy asserted. "Think and analyze the 12 years of BJP government at the Centre and 10 years of KCR-led BRS government in the state before casting your vote. There is a quid pro quo arrangement between BRS and BJP," the Chief Minister alleged, directly linking the two opposition parties.
Congress as First-Time Claimant for Urban Mandate
Projecting the Congress as a first-time claimant for an urban mandate after coming to power in the state, Reddy highlighted his government's swift action on welfare and development initiatives within just two years. "In just two years, the Congress has implemented numerous welfare schemes and taken up development works," he stated confidently.
The Chief Minister made specific promises regarding urban infrastructure: "I assure you that comprehensive master plans for each Urban Local Body (ULB) will be brought. It is my responsibility, as the CM and municipal administration minister, to extend drinking water supply, lay sewerage networks, provide uninterrupted electricity supply, and build roads. Bless the Congress whole-heartedly in the municipal elections," he appealed to voters.
Questioning Opposition Credibility
Revanth Reddy questioned the moral authority of both BJP and BRS to seek votes after their extended periods in power. "How can the BJP and BRS even ask for votes promising to solve your problems when they were in power all these years? All the problems in municipalities and corporations are due to the two parties. The BRS has no right to ask for votes as they were in ruling ULBs until two years ago," he argued forcefully.
Emphasizing the Congress party's commitment to social representation, Reddy revealed: "The Congress gave 61 per cent B-forms to Backward Class community candidates." He also outlined the party's approach to funding key projects: "It is our duty to ask the Centre to fund key projects and if they don't support, the state government will complete key civic, transport and other infrastructure projects in the urban local bodies, including Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits."
Targeting BJP Leadership and Alleging Discrimination
The Chief Minister took direct aim at the BJP's campaign, questioning what Telangana had gained from the party's leadership at the Centre. "What is the special package or additional funds Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay have brought for Telangana? Did PM Modi give any special package or national status to any project in Telangana?" he asked pointedly.
Reddy noted that while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP national president Nitin Nabin had campaigned in Telangana, they had not announced anything substantial for the state. "So, how can the BJP top leaders seek votes in municipal elections in the name of Modi? Why should urban voters trust them when their 12-year history is in front of them?" he challenged.
Allegations of Financial Discrimination Against Southern States
The Chief Minister escalated his criticism by accusing the Centre of systematic discrimination against southern states in fund allocation. Countering claims by Union Minister G Kishan Reddy about substantial central funds to Telangana, Revanth Reddy stated: "What the Centre has given is devolution of taxes which Telangana pays to it. Injustice has been done to Telangana."
He presented comparative figures to substantiate his allegations: "For every rupee given to the Centre, only 42 paise is being given back to Telangana. The Centre was giving back 16 paise to Karnataka, 26 paise to Tamil Nadu and 49 paise to Kerala. It is a grave injustice to the southern states."
Contrasting this with northern states, Reddy continued: "In the northern states, Bihar is being given over Rs 6 rupee for every rupee it is paying to the Centre, while Madhya Pradesh gets Rs 2.09 and Uttar Pradesh Rs 2.90."
"Has Kishan Reddy or Bandi Sanjay ever questioned PM Modi, Centre, or NITI Aayog about this discrimination? They have mortgaged the self-respect of Telangana in Delhi. The BJP government has not given anything to Telangana through its discretionary powers," he alleged strongly.
Linking Corruption Probes to Political Arrangement
In a dramatic conclusion to his allegations, the Chief Minister linked the issue to ongoing corruption investigations. "Due to the quid pro quo arrangement between the BRS and BJP, Kishan Reddy is not allowing the arrest of KCR and Harish Rao (former BRS minister) in the Kaleshwaram scam, and that of KT Rama Rao (BRS working president) in the Formula E case," Revanth Reddy claimed, directly connecting political cooperation with alleged interference in corruption cases.
The municipal elections in Telangana have thus been framed by the ruling Congress as not merely local civic polls, but as a comprehensive referendum on the performance of both the central BJP government and the previous state BRS administration, with the Congress positioning itself as the fresh alternative with concrete plans for urban development and welfare.
