‘State given by us fell into hands of KCR and family’

HYDERABAD: After formally inducting A Revanth Reddy into the Congress, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have asked the Kodangal MLA to extensively tour the state to expose the alleged failures of the TRS government, in order to help the party regain its past glory.“Sonia Gandhi accorded statehood to Telangana after 1,500 youngsters laid down their lives. But the state which was given by us, has fallen into the hands of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s family,” the  AICC vice-president was quoted as saying, after Revanth’s entry into the party in Delhi on Tuesday.

Sources said the Congress high command might appoint Revanth in a key post such as TPCC Election Campaign Committee chief. After formally joining Congress, Revanth, while addressing the media at AICC headquarters in Delhi, branded the TRS regime in the state as a “tetrarchy wherein four people belonging to the CM’s family are controlling the administration.”

“The state is now under the control of a narcissistic regime, which works for its own well-being. After coming to power, KCR constructed a `1,000 crore palace on 10 acres of land in the heart of the city for himself. His family purchased a television channel, newspapers and made other assets. The CM’s focus is only on the welfare of his own family,” the Kodangal MLA accused.

Earlier, welcoming Revanth and other TDP leaders into the party, TPCC chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Congress was all set to return to power in 2019 elections and it was evident with the entry of leaders from other parties into the party. AICC state affairs incharge RC Khuntia said TDP had vanished in the state and Congress was the only alternative to TRS in Telangana.

Has Revanth’s entry made Jana uneasy?
Congress veteran and leader of Opposition K Jana Reddy on Tuesday indirectly expressed uneasiness over the way Revanth was being projected as a powerful leader. When reporters reminded about the comments made by Tollywood director Ramgopal Varma describing Revanth as “Bahubali” for the Congress, Jana said, “Real Bahubali is the person who wins the electoral battle. We should not call everybody Bahubali without testing their actual capability.” He said that he was like BJP’s LK Advani for Telangana Congress, and hence would not ask the party high command to appoint him as CM if the party wins the 2019 polls. “I will accept the CM’s post, only when everybody backs me,” he said.

Meeting highlights

The way Rahul Gandhi offered sweets to Revanth with left hand on the latter joining the Congress has led to an interesting debate on social media. Netizens said that the AICC vice president had not inducted Revanth into the Congress wholeheartedly 

Besides Revanth, 14 other TDP leaders including ex-minister B Janardhan and ex-MLAs D Anasuya alias Seethakka and Vem Narender Reddy, and Osmania University JAC leaders such as Durgam Bhaskar joined the Congress

Rahul Gandhi will adress a public meeting at Warangal on November 19