Harish Rao criticizes Congress government, says CM relying on defensive politics

Former minister Harish Rao sharply criticized the Congress government, accusing it of political favoritism and administrative failures. Speaking after a press meet by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), Harish Rao said the current Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, has gone on the defensive following KCR’s media briefing. Harish Rao noted that in his 25 years in politics, he had never seen a Chief Minister hold a late-night media chat at 9:30 pm, suggesting it was proof of KCR’s political influence.

Harish Rao questioned whether the state’s ongoing investment in flashy events like football tournaments, global summits, and beauty competitions actually address the needs of the poor. He claimed the Chief Minister is intimidated by the Secretariat, afraid even to walk its corridors, and that government operations are restricted to the control room despite renovations in offices. Hairsh Rao also alleged that the fear of losing the upcoming local body elections has prevented the government from holding cooperative elections, instead favoring nominations for Congress supporters. He challenged the government to conduct proper cooperative elections.

Highlighting the Chief Minister’s visit to Osmania University, Harish Rao noted that despite claiming he would visit alone, the CM went surrounded by thousands of police, and student leaders were preemptively arrested - a sign of political intimidation, he said. While welcoming government presentations on irrigation projects, Harish Rao demanded equal opportunity for the BRS to present facts. He claimed Congress gives more speaking time to CPI, MIM, and BJP compared to the BRS, and warned that if allowed, his party would expose the government’s financial mismanagement in the Assembly.

Harish Rao accused the current government of functioning like a consultancy firm rather than a proper administration. He claimed that a previous broker handled loans and commissions worth Rs 180 crore, and alleged a similar approach is being used now, including splitting GHMC into parts to raise Rs 30,000 crore in loans.

On irrigation, Harish Rao said past Congress leaders mismanaged Krishna river water, allocating only 28.49% to Telangana. He criticized historical letters from Uttam Kumar Reddy demanding 45 TMC for the state and urged immediate correction to secure 90 TMC for Telangana.

Harish Rao also alleged that whenever the government faces trouble, it distracts the public with phone-tapping controversies and Formula E race leaks. He warned that notices against him in the phone-tapping case are a joke, and that police officials who file illegal cases to please the CM will be held accountable.

Recalling his own experience, Harish Rao said he faced over 300 cases during his political activism and is undeterred by threats. He highlighted incidents of violence against Dalits in Sangareddy, which went unaddressed by police. Harish Rao called for equality before the law, better police safety allowances, and attention to TA/DA for constables. He also mentioned that he faced legal cases while performing charitable or religious activities, including visiting flood-affected areas.

Harish Rao concluded by urging the Assembly to hold sessions for at least 15 days to discuss state issues and reaffirmed that his party will continue to work vigorously despite legal intimidation, asserting that Telangana’s history of struggle and sacrifice cannot be undermined by illegal cases or political conspiracies.