congress-one-year-rule-in-telangana-a-mixed-bag

There have been hits and misses in equal measure as the Revanth Reddy government celebrated the first anniversary with pomp and fervour. The unveiling of the “Telangana Talli” (Mother Telangana) statue in the premises of the state secretariat in Hyderabad served as the grand finale of the celebrations.

 

A sustained focus on social welfare and rural development have been the key highlights of the Congress rule so far while loopholes in the execution of the ‘Rythu Bandhu’ (financial assistance to farmers) scheme and the failure to implement the poll promises like Rs 2 lakh crop loan waiver and Rs 2,500 monthly assistance to women under the ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme have come under the Opposition scrutiny.

 

The overzealous approach to remove encroachments on the Musi river bed in and around Hyderabad in the name of the Musi beautification project has earned the public wrath. Even the ‘free bus ride’ for women, started with much fanfare, seems to be faltering.  

 

Politics of vendetta

 

There are also allegations that the Congress government has been resorting to vendetta politics.

 

The Chief Minister has ordered a series of probes aimed squarely at the alleged financial misdeeds and administrative irregularities of the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, particularly targeting his predecessor K Chandrasekhar Rao and his son KT Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR.

 

An inquiry has been ordered into the handling of the irrigation sector by the BRS regime, particularly the allegations of corruption in the execution of the Kaleshwaram irrigation project. A probe was also ordered into the alleged irregularities in the power sector.

 

The latest buzz pertains to the possible prosecution of KTR for his alleged role in the misappropriation of funds in the Formula E-Race, proposed to be hosted in Hyderabad. This ambitious project became a symbol of Telangana’s drive to establish itself on the global sports map.

 

However, the alleged payment of Rs. 55 crore to the race organizers by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), authorized solely by KTR in his capacity as the then-Municipal Administration Minister, has now become a focal point of controversy.

 

Revanth Reddy and KTR, the working president of the BRS, have been locked in a no-holds-barred war of words on issues ranging from corruption, nepotism, misgovernance and failure to keep up poll promises.  

 

In a tit-for-tat move, the BRS made corruption allegations against Revanth Reddy, focusing on the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme. The central government-sponsored initiative seeks to revamp urban infrastructure, improve sewage systems, and enhance drinking water supply in urban local bodies.

 

KTR has alleged that Revanth Reddy manipulated the tender process to award a substantial contract to Shodha Infrastructure, a company owned by his brother-in-law, S. Sujan Reddy.

 

KTR claims that Revanth disregarded due process and used his position to favour a family member, constituting a significant conflict of interest.

 

Breaking the mould

 

Political clanging matches apart, Revanth Reddy can take comfort in breaking the mould and positioning himself as a ‘people friendly’ Chief Minister.

 

Holding ‘Praja Durbar’ at his camp office to receive applications directly from the general public for redressal of their grievances, launching a string of welfare schemes for women and farmers, and focusing on integrity and honesty of officers while effecting bureaucratic reshuffle are some of the measures that left a positive impact on the people.

 

Soon after taking over the reins of the state in December last year, he signed two files, one pertaining to the implementation of ‘six poll guarantees’ of Congress— including free bus travel for women, pension for widows and single women, financial aid, free power and loan waiver for farmers—and another providing a job to a physically challenged woman as per a promise he made to her during the campaign.

 

In another novel gesture, he ordered the dismantling of the iron barricades erected at the chief minister’s camp office to make it ‘accessible to the general public”.

 

Claims and counter-claims

 

On the occasion of completing one year in office, Revanth Reddy claimed that the women's welfare schemes, caste census, and environmental-centred urban development policies of his government were being discussed for emulation by other governments.

 

The government has waived farm loans for over 25 lakh farmers, with more than Rs 21,000 crore directly deposited into their accounts. A Rs 500 per quintal bonus for fine rice above the minimum support price (MSP) was given. This apart, free power was being provided to farmers.

 

The Chief Minister claimed that over 55,000 government jobs were created in the first year, along with substantial job growth in the private sector, bringing Telangana’s unemployment rate to its lowest level in 12 years.

 

Telangana conducted one of the country’s most comprehensive caste surveys, with near-total citizen participation.

 

Doubling of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and a 200 percent increase in overall investments in the past 11 months, launching major infrastructure projects, including the Regional Ring Road, Metro Rail extensions, and a futuristic Artificial Intelligence city as part of Hyderabad’s urban reimagination to address climate challenges were among the other achievements highlighted by the Chief Minister.

 

However, the ruling Congress faced sharp criticism from BRS, which released a detailed 18-page charge sheet attacking the government’s performance. Harish Rao, senior BRS leader and former minister, accused Reddy’s government of poor governance and broken promises.

 

Rao highlighted several issues, including the Congress administration’s failure to meet key election promises, such as the Rs 2 lakh crop loan waiver and Rs 2,500 monthly assistance under the Mahalakshmi scheme.

 

Rao accused the Congress government of making controversial decisions early in its tenure, including attempts to alter the state emblem and halting important projects like Pharma City. While these decisions were reversed after public outcry, Rao claimed they had already harmed the state’s reputation and development prospects.

 

“The Congress government’s record on governance has been marked by instability and flip-flops,” Rao said.

 

He also accused the government of mismanaging critical departments, leading to incidents such as food poisoning in residential welfare schools and government schools, endangering students’ lives.

 

Rao further criticised the government for halting the Rythu Bandhu scheme for two seasons, a program that had provided direct financial support to farmers under the BRS government. “Instead of fulfilling promises, the Congress has blamed the opposition for its failures,” he said.