Rahul Gandhi wants to distribute govt wealth | Revanth Reddy
Modi holds a doctorate in lying and misrepresenting the truth. Following the caste census, an asset evaluation will not be conducted. According to Telangana CM, “It’s a count of population, not wealth,”
Anumula Revanth Reddy, 54, has been directing the Congress’s campaign in the state’s Lok Sabha polls months after inspiring the party to an incredible victory in the Telangana Assembly elections. He is one of the main figures on whom the Congress is relying to improve its standing in South India. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy discusses a wide range of hot-button topics in a free-flowing conversation with media including the gap between the North and South and the recent controversy over Rahul Gandhi’s proposal for a caste census and redistribution. Take-outs:
There is an overwhelming majority behind you. How are you going to keep that momentum going?
The approach is two-way. One is putting our assurance programs into action. We are carrying out our commitments to the Telangana people. We have put five of the six primary guarantees into practice. The Lok Sabha election is the decisive match, and KCR’s (K Chandrasekhar Rao) party lost the semi-final. We had already defeated KCR and his politics in the state election. The conclusion is now in sight. In his ten years as our nation’s leader, Narendra Modi has never delivered on his promises.
Telangana received several development-related promises from the 2014 (AP) Reorganisation Act, however none of them have been carried out by the Center. Modi has never honored the decisions taken by the national government. I’m attempting to educate folks about Modi’s animosity for Telangana. He had mistreated the Congress in order to create Telangana. The Telangana creation bill was passed by the Congress. How can he come here and ask for votes from the state after rejecting the Telangana formation?
With this election, what are you concentrating on? Are you looking to strengthen your position or to contain the BJP?
It was KCR vs Congress in the state elections. Additionally, Narendra Modi and the national party are the opponents in the upcoming election. It is therefore quite evident that I must battle Modi and the BJP.
The idea of a North-South division has been discussed. Do you believe that there are any other challenges that are relevant in real life besides linguistic barriers?
Yes, without a doubt. I had seen Narendra Modi in my capacity as an elected member of Parliament. Gujarat has seven Cabinet ministers, yet it has 26 Lok Sabha MPs. While Andhra Pradesh and Telangana collectively have 42 Lok Sabha representatives, the region’s representation in the Union cabinet is limited to one minister. Telugu has one representation despite being the second most spoken language in India after Hindi. In addition to giving Uttar Pradesh 12 (ministers), he also gave Rajasthan and Bihar, two states that speak Hindi, strong representation.
You discuss the distribution of the budget. We receive barely 43 paise out of every 100 rupees (from Central allocations), while Bihar receives Rs 7.05. It is Rs 6 extra for UP. What kind of prejudice is this? There is an unfair distribution of resources.
You were attempting to persuade Rahul Gandhi to run as a Telangana candidate. Why did he not concur?
A resolution was voted by the state party asking Sonia Gandhi to run as a Telangana candidate. She was elected to the Raja Sabha, nevertheless. Next, we invited Rahul Gandhi to run since the state is appreciative of Sonia Gandhi and the Congress party for helping to build Telangana.however, they chose not to compete.
In Telangana, the BRS appears to be losing ground, and the BJP is attempting to take its place. How are you fending it off?
The BRS has little interest in this election, which is being held nationally. For KCR’s daughter K Kavitha, who is currently incarcerated, the BRS has negotiated with the BJP for five seats. For this reason, in an effort to support the BJP, the BRS has fielded extremely weak candidates in five seats. Moreover, KCR is not running for office in those districts. In order to secure Kavitha’s bail, KCR is essentially supporting the BJP in five of the 17 parliamentary seats. I must thus convey this to others. I will address people about their anti-Telugu position, discrimination, and the gap between the North and the South. We are going to discuss the BJP-BRS alliance.
Rahul Gandhi discussed the problem of the caste census. According to the BJP, the Congress aims to give Muslims reservation money by eliminating the backward class quota. Do you find it difficult to explain the caste census to others?
Modi desires to give money to corporations. He wishes to keep crony capitalism intact. As a corporate political party, the BJP seeks to defend business interests.
Why do you claim that the BJP withholds cash from the underprivileged?
Among the RSS’s affiliates is the BJP. Everyone is aware of RSS’s position on reservations. The fundamental tenet of the BJP is exclusive to the RSS. Because they do not wish to categorize Hindus into distinct groups, they do not desire reservations. They wish to speak about Hindus as a single group. It is convenient for Modi to ignore this, and no one else is challenging him on it either.
Following delimitation, certain southern states appear to be worried about their representation in Parliament. M K Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, wrote the prime minister about it. How important is this issue?
Yes, there is undoubtedly apprehension. However, we must review the Delimitation Commission’s terms of reference. We will lose a significant number of seats from the South if population delineation is used. We won’t lose anything if the increase is proportionate to the number of seats that now exist. We must wait and watch how things turn out. Political power is your political deal, so it’s concerning.
During the tenure of your predecessor, the KCR, ties between the state and the Center were extremely strained. You appear to be hitting a different note, though. What is your opinion on the current state-centre relations in light of the BJP-Congress dispute?
The politics of governance and parties are significantly dissimilar. I am able to distinguish between the two. I speak in political language as a Congress politician to my party members during party meetings in my capacity as PCC chief. I have to see the world differently and communicate in the language of the chief minister when I’m seated in my chair.
You stated that there was a misinterpretation of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks regarding redistribution. However, there is a timeline for it. He discussed the caste system, income concentration, and inequality, all of which have contributed to the confusion. How would you interpret this?
The Kaleshwaram irrigation project was referred to by KCR as a “golden Telangana’s lifeline.” What is the project’s current state following the discovery of structural flaws?
You have a significant task in addressing the water crisis situation five months after the administration was formed. Do you believe this will have a significant impact on the election and your government?
This water crisis is not limited to Telangana; it is affecting a large area that includes portions of Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. People are aware of the inadequate amount of rainfall. However, as of right now, Telangana’s cities, towns, and villages may all have clean drinking water. Since everyone has access to drinking water, I don’t think this will affect the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The Assembly was provided with a White Paper by your government detailing the terrible situation of the state’s finances. How will you pay for your plans?
Spending was mismanaged by KCR; in reality, he spent a lot of money on unnecessary things. By controlling VAT, GST collecting, and other expenses, I’m attempting to boost income. We are targeting Rs 2,000 crore every month or Rs 24,000 crore annually. Our GST collections have increased to between Rs 400 and Rs 500 crore per month. Additionally, we control the bulk fuel supply from Karnataka, a neighboring state with lower VAT. In order to finance our plans, we will raise income.
There are a number of BRS leaders and politicians who are reportedly in contact with you. What do you believe is going on within the BRS?
BRS MLAs, leaders, and cadre no longer have faith in their ability to lead. We shall have to wait and see what this leads to. It’s too early to tell if the party will end, so I can’t say.
