In a spirited rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments regarding Congress governance in state territories, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy asserted that Modi’s remarks were steeped in misconceptions and inaccuracies.
This clarification came swiftly following Modi’s jibe at opposition parties for their alleged failure to deliver on promises made to the populace.
Dear Shri @narendramodi Ji
I am happy to clarify several misconceptions and factual errors in your statements about my state and our government.
In #Telangana since December 7, 2023, when the congress government took oath, a wave of joy & hope has swept the state, after a…
— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) November 2, 2024
Taking to social media platform X, Revanth Reddy addressed the Prime Minister directly, emphasising that every pledge made by the Congress-led government in Telangana is treated as a “sacred commitment.” He highlighted the palpable sense of hope and joy that has enveloped the state since the Congress government assumed office on December 7, 2023, after nearly ten years of rule by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
“Dear Shri @narendramodi Ji, I am happy to clarify several misconceptions and factual errors in your statements about my state and our government,” he said.
Within mere days of taking office, he pointed out that the Congress administration rolled out two key initiatives, free bus travel for women across all Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses, and a comprehensive healthcare coverage plan under Rajiv Arogya Sree, offering up to Rs 10 lakh.“In last 11 months, our sisters and mothers of Telangana have travelled without paying a single rupee bus fare, undertaking over 101 crore free bus trips across the state, saving ₹3,433.36 crore in less than a year,” Revanth Reddy reported, showcasing the immediate impact of these measures.
Furthermore, the chief minister touted the largest state-level farmer loan waiver in Indian history, fulfilling the commitment of “Rythe Raju” (Farmer is the King). “Over 22 lakh farmers are now free of any loan and are living like kings, with all loans up to ₹ 2 lakh being waived. We have put over ₹18,000 crore into farmers’ accounts in 25 days,” he declared.
Women in Telangana, according to Revanth Reddy, are expressing their gratitude for free electricity up to 200 units per household, and the state’s ability to keep gas cylinder prices low at Rs 500, contrasting sharply with the soaring prices in BJP-ruled regions. “In our tenure till now, over 1.31 crore gas cylinder refills have taken place, with over 42,90,246 beneficiaries smiling their way to the kitchen every day,” he noted.
The chief minister also highlighted an unprecedented recruitment drive aimed at addressing unemployment. In under a year, the Congress government has reportedly secured jobs for more than 50,000 youth, a feat he claims outpaces any similar initiative by BJP-led states.
Education has not been overlooked, with a significant increase in funding for welfare hostels that cater to underprivileged children, addressing years of neglect. Revanth Reddy also mentioned ambitious environmental initiatives, including rejuvenating the Musi River and stringent protections for lakes and water bodies.
“We are cleaning and rejuvenating our Musi river that was neglected in the past. We are also protecting our lakes, nullahs and other precious water bodies, encroached upon and destroyed wantonly in the last 10 years. Not a single inch of lakes has been encroached upon since the Congress came to power. And also, we are creating a Future City and a masterplan is being finalised,” he explained.
Concluding his remarks, he emphasised the transformative impact of the Congress administration: “We have brought light back to Telangana after years of gloom. Like the dawn, our state is on the rise.”
“Every promise made by us to people is a sacred commitment for us. In the last 11 months, we have reversed an air of gloom and despair under BRS, and ended the darkness. Like a morning sun, Telangana is now rising,” Revanth Reddy concluded.