'Revanth Reddy gave me free publicity': KTR hits back at Telangana CM
BRS leader KTR defends his business holdings and mocks CM Revanth Reddy for providing "free publicity" regarding his hotel assets.
In a sharp political exchange, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) has fired back at Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, dismissing allegations regarding his business holdings as nothing more than "free publicity." Addressing the media during a program in Sircilla on Thursday, the BRS leader defended his commercial ventures and mocked the Chief Minister's attempts to expose his assets.
'Not a New Discovery,' says KTR
The controversy erupted following criticisms by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding property disclosures made in KTR's election affidavits. KTR responded by pointing out that the information being used against him is already a matter of public record.
"Revanth Reddy was talking about whatever I filed in my affidavit in 2009. He said I have hotels; I myself am saying that I have them," KTR remarked. He proceeded to mock the Chief Minister's approach, stating, "What are you saying? As if you are Columbus and made a discovery like Vasco da Gama or something. You are saying what’s in the affidavit."
Defending Commercial Interests
KTR maintained that maintaining legitimate businesses is a necessary part of supporting his family alongside his political career. He questioned the morality of attacking a person for seeking sustenance through lawful enterprise.
"Is doing business wrong? I have to feed my wife and kids. Otherwise, they will say, 'What are you doing in politics?' Therefore, to feed them, I am doing business, what is wrong with it?" he questioned.
The BRS leader further joked about the scale of his business empire, suggesting that his political commitments have actually limited his commercial growth. "If I had really cared about business and left politics aside, I would have had 10 hotels by now, but I have only 3 hotels. Anyways he gave me free publicity. I am very happy that Revanth Reddy gave publicity to my hotels. I am thanking you from the bottom of my heart," KTR added.
Political Tug-of-War in Sircilla
The exchange comes amidst a high-stakes political confrontation in Sircilla. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy recently visited the constituency—a seat previously represented by KTR—to rally Congress party workers. During his visit, the CM claimed that the Congress party is poised to lead a decade of "people's governance" from 2024 to 2034, suggesting that the BRS has lost its political momentum in the state.
KTR, however, turned the visit into an opportunity to demand accountability from the current administration. He has called on the Congress government to release a white paper regarding the development of Sircilla since they took office. Specifically, KTR demanded transparency regarding allegations that 8,000 acres of government land were illegally taken over and the subsequent claim that 2,400 acres have been recovered. He has requested the government to provide specific details, including survey numbers and locations, for these land parcels.
In addition to land issues, the BRS leader raised concerns regarding the textile sector, highlighting pending dues to weavers, yarn subsidies, and the status of proposed weaving and apparel parks. He also pressed for timelines on various irrigation, education, and welfare projects within the constituency.