Congress Chief Says Kavitha's BRS Funding Allegations Have Merit

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud has stated that there is merit in allegations made by K. Kavitha, chief of the Telangana Rakshna Sena, regarding the funding of the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS). Ms. Kavitha had earlier claimed that the BRS received ₹1,400 crore through quid pro quo arrangements with contractors from Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Goud described the transaction as raising serious questions that required answers.

Speaking to reporters at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday, Mr. Goud also alleged that irrigation projects undertaken during the previous BRS regime have developed structural problems. He demanded that BRS leader T. Harish Rao, who served as Irrigation Minister, explain these lapses.

Regarding internal party matters, Mr. Goud said the Congress would address them only after a fact-finding exercise. He asserted that the party's disciplinary committee would treat all leaders equally. Two senior leaders, AICC secretary for Telangana Sachin Sawant and Congress leader T. Jagga Reddy, have been tasked with gathering facts concerning issues related to MLA Kadiyam Srihari, Minister Konda Surekha, and the Tungaturthi constituency. Action will be taken based on their report.

Referring to BRS legislators who have extended support to the Congress government, Mr. Goud said they did so to protect democracy. He also criticised BJP MP Etala Rajender, alleging that Rajender remained silent on irregularities in water resources and public funds during the BRS regime, despite having served as Finance Minister. Mr. Goud claimed that Mr. Rajender appeared to be supporting the BRS instead of questioning its alleged failures.

Taking aim at the BJP, Mr. Goud said the party should fulfil its promise to provide two crore jobs before seeking votes in Telangana. He stated that whether it is BJP president J.P. Nadda or any other national leader visiting the state, the Congress would continue to ask the same question about employment.

On appointments to state corporations, Mr. Goud said a decision would be reached after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan hold consultations on July 15.

In separate press conferences, Congress MP Chamala Kiran Reddy and MLA Medipally Satyam questioned Mr. Harish Rao's credibility to criticise Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, citing what they described as Mr. Harish Rao's utter failure in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project while serving as Irrigation Minister. Mr. Kiran Reddy said Mr. Harish Rao should take responsibility for the project's shortcomings. He asserted that the BRS has no future and that Mr. Harish Rao's criticisms of the government would not yield results.