CityLightBuzz: Kothagudem. BRS Parliamentary Party Leader Vaddiraju Ravichandra, former Minister Vanama Venkateswara Rao and other prominent BRS leaders participated in a “Vantavarpu” protest at the Dharna Chowk near the Kothagudem Collectorate on Friday.
The programme was organised in response to the call given by BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao to highlight what the party described as the Congress government’s failures during its 1,000 days in office. Around 4,000 people reportedly participated in the programme.
Speaking at the gathering, MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra alleged that women in Telangana were facing serious difficulties under the Congress government, claiming that several election promises had not been implemented, fee reimbursement dues remained pending and employment opportunities were inadequate.
The programme was chaired by former Minister Vanama Venkateswara Rao.
Ravichandra Criticises Congress Government
Ravichandra alleged that Congress leaders, including Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, made several promises during the election campaign but had failed to fulfil them after coming to power.
He alleged that the government had failed to implement the party’s promised guarantees and welfare measures for women.
The BRS leader referred to promises including ₹2,500 per month for women, increasing pensions for senior citizens, widows and single women from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000, and providing scooters to college-going girls.
He also criticised the government over the alleged delay in implementing Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak benefits and the promise of providing one tola of gold to eligible beneficiaries.
Concerns Over BC Welfare and KCR Kit
Ravichandra also alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its promise of increasing BC reservations to 42% and spending ₹20,000 crore annually on BC welfare.
He recalled the KCR Kit scheme introduced during the previous BRS government, stating that it provided financial assistance of ₹13,000 along with essential items to support mothers and newborn children.
Fee Reimbursement and Overseas Scholarships
The MP expressed concern over pending student fee reimbursement dues, alleging that some colleges were withholding certificates from students because of unpaid dues.
He also raised concerns over delays in overseas scholarships, claiming that students were being affected in pursuing higher education abroad.
Ravichandra further raised the case of Shireesha, whom he described as a tribal and Adivasi woman who was allegedly raped and murdered. He demanded that the government provide a double-bedroom house to her family and a government job to her brother Shivaram.
Allegations Over Land and Government Policies
Ravichandra accused the Congress government of failing in governance and alleged that the administration was focused on selling and misappropriating government lands.He also criticised the Chief Minister and ministers for frequently travelling to Delhi, alleging that they had failed to secure adequate resources for Telangana’s welfare and development. The BRS MP said he had raised the issue of the urea shortage in Parliament under the guidance of BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao and claimed that the required quantity was subsequently secured.
Demand to Remove Lands from Prohibited List
Ravichandra also demanded that lands covered by survey numbers 444, 666, 817, 999 and 727, which he alleged had been included in the prohibited list, be removed from the list. He said the BRS would continue its fight until justice was delivered to the affected landowners.
BRS Says People Are Ready for Change
Ravichandra claimed that women, senior citizens and students had become frustrated with the Congress government’s 1,000-day rule.
He asserted that people from all sections of society were ready to support the BRS again and expressed confidence in the party’s return to power.
The Kothagudem Collectorate premises witnessed a large gathering of BRS leaders, women, activists, supporters and well-wishers. The area was filled with BRS flags and slogans criticising the Congress government.
The participants also sat together on the ground and shared a meal as part of the “Vantavarpu” programme.
