HYDERABAD: BRS MLC Dr. Dasoju Sravan launched a sharp attack on the ruling Congress government in Telangana and the BJP-led Centre, accusing both parties of engaging in political theatrics while farmers and the public are struggling with severe drought conditions, declining groundwater levels and drinking water shortages across the state.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Tuesday, he alleged that both Congress and BJP were failing to address pressing public issues and questioned their commitment to Telangana’s welfare.
Revanth Reddy Government Failed to Prepare for Drought: Dasoju Sravan
Dr. Sravan alleged that farmers who had benefited from irrigation facilities during the previous BRS government under K. Chandrashekar Rao were once again being forced to depend on borewells due to declining groundwater levels.
He claimed that meteorological warnings issued in February and March regarding the possibility of El Niño and drought conditions were ignored by the Revanth Reddy government, leaving Telangana inadequately prepared to deal with the situation.
He further alleged that approximately 750 TMC of Godavari water and 250 TMC of Krishna water, amounting to nearly 1,000 TMC, were flowing towards Andhra Pradesh or going unutilised. He questioned the government’s failure to take effective measures to conserve water and suggested constructing a rubber dam at Kannepalli at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore to preserve nearly 2 TMC of water.
Questions Amit Shah Over Silence on Drought Relief
Questioning Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to Hyderabad, the BRS MLC alleged that the minister attended political programmes, visited the Bhagyalakshmi Temple and met film personalities but failed to address Telangana’s drought, drinking water and irrigation concerns.
He questioned whether Amit Shah had announced any financial assistance for Telangana despite the State Assembly seeking ₹20,000 crore in drought relief.
He also demanded clarification regarding the availability of National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) assistance for the state.
Demands CBI and ED Probe into ‘RR Tax’ Allegations
Reacting to the BJP leadership’s allegations concerning ‘RR Tax’, Dr. Sravan questioned why the Centre had not ordered investigations through agencies such as the CBI, ED or Income Tax Department if the allegations were genuine.
He described the political exchanges between the Congress and BJP as a case of ‘fighting in the streets while maintaining friendship in Delhi’.
Targets Revanth Reddy Over Delhi Visits and Election Issues
The BRS leader also criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over the implementation of election promises, including the Farmers’ Declaration and the Congress guarantees.
He questioned why the Chief Minister was able to travel to Delhi for political programmes but had not secured the demanded ₹20,000 crore drought relief package from the Centre.
He also questioned the Congress leadership’s criticism of alleged vote theft, referring to the cash-for-vote case involving Revanth Reddy.
Questions Police Conduct and Demands Constitutional Accountability
Dr. Sravan accused the police department of adopting a discriminatory approach towards opposition parties. He alleged that Congress and BJP leaders were being permitted to conduct protests and padayatras, while BRS leaders were facing preventive arrests and restrictions when attempting to participate in public hearings and raise people’s concerns.
Directly questioning Telangana DGP C.V. Anand, he asked whether the state was being governed by the ‘Anumula Constitution’ or the ‘Ambedkar Constitution’.
He emphasised that Articles 14 and 19 of the Indian Constitution guarantee equal rights and freedoms to citizens and urged the police department to remain committed to constitutional principles rather than political instructions.
BRS Places Five Major Demands Before the Government
The BRS MLC outlined the following demands:
₹20,000 Crore Drought Relief: The Central Government must immediately release ₹20,000 crore in drought assistance to Telangana.
Rubber Dam at Kannepalli: Construct a rubber dam immediately to conserve water and address farmers’ irrigation and public drinking water needs.
White Paper on Water Resources: The Telangana government must release a white paper explaining the reasons behind the alleged loss and non-utilisation of nearly 1,000 TMC of Godavari and Krishna river waters.
CBI/ED Investigation: If the BJP’s ‘RR Tax’ allegations are genuine, the Centre must order an investigation through the CBI or ED. Otherwise, the allegations should be withdrawn and an apology issued to the people of Telangana.
Stop Preventive Arrests: The government must end what BRS describes as unlawful preventive arrests of opposition leaders and safeguard the democratic right to protest.
Concluding his address, Dr. Dasoju Sravan asserted that the BRS would continue its struggle for farmers and the welfare of Telangana’s people, regardless of arrests or restrictions.
BRS leaders Palvai Sravanti Reddy, Totla Swamy Yadav and Kishore Goud were also present at the press conference.
