Hyderabad: Telangana Talli statues will don all the
33 District Collectorates in the State soon.
The Revanth Reddy Government has called for tenders for the
installation of the 12-foot tall statues in the District Collectorates by
November 9.
The State government took the decision and the Roads and
Buildings department has called for tenders from statue makers in this regard.
The bids will be accepted till August 22. The 12-foot tall statues will cost Rs
13 lakh each, and the total cost comes to around Rs 4.29 crore.
”We have installed the Telangana Talli statue at the
Secretariat. We have also issued a GO explaining how the “Talli” (Mother)
should look. We will have Telangana Talli statues by November 9,” Ponguleti
Srinivasa Reddy, Minister for Revenue, Housing, Information, and Public
Relations, disclosed.
Symbolic Telangana Talli statues and Telangana patriotic
songs initiated by BRS supremo and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao
were a rage during the Telangana movement and inspired the youth. It played a
major role in the formation of Telangana State.
Subsequently, KCR ensured the installation of Telangana
Statues in all the districts, but not the collectorates.
However, after the defeat of KCR and the formation of the
Congress government under the leadership of A Revanth Reddy in the 2024
Assembly elections, CM brought in changes, including the look of Telangana
Talli, the Telangana state song, etc. During the T movement and the KCR rule,
the Telangana Talli statue was glamorous, bejeweled, had a crown, held a maize
in one hand and a Bathukamma pot in the other.
However, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy brought in changes in
the Telangana Statue.
New Telangana Talli was presented as a traditional woman,
with a pleasant face, draped in a green saree with a zari border, necklet,
beaded chain, bangles, anklets, earrings, and nose-pin. She is a middle-aged
woman personifying dignity, holding paddy, maize, and pearl millet sheaves.
The state government also decided to observe December 9
every year as “Telangana Talli Formation Day”.
Unlike KCR, the Revanth Reddy government issued a GO, GOMS
No: 1946, endorsing the Telangana Talli statue and “formation of Telangana
Talli Day.”
The GO also has a colour photograph; Telangana Talli stands
for existence and self-respect without any distortion or attempt at wrong
portrayal. It warned that any misrepresentation or insulting it in any form is
a punishable offence.
C R Gowri Shanker is a senior journalist based out of Hyderabad. he has served as a Political Editor for Deccan Chronicle. With great insights on the political landscape of the country.
Hyderabad: Raksha Bandhan
brought to the fore deepening conflicts in two political families in Telangana
and Andhra Pradesh, while other politicians celebrated the festival with gusto.
The sacred Raksha Bandhan
festivities of late are getting a political touch with many making a beeline to
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and other political leaders in ruling and
opposition parties.
Kalvakuntla Kavita, BRS MLC,
Telangana Jagruthi chief, and daughter of BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao,
missed the Raksha Bandhan festivities with her estranged brother, Sircilla MLA
and BRS Working president K T Rama Rao.
Similarly, Y S Sharmila did not
tie Rakhi to her brother and YSRCP president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra
Pradesh against their ongoing personal feud.
Kavitha, Sharmila fallout with
brothers
Kavitha, daughter of former Chief
Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, and Sharmila, daughter of Y S Rajasekhar Reddy,
have fallen out with their only brothers, K T Rama Rao and Y S Jagan Mohan
Reddy.
While the exact cause for the rift
has not been made public by either of them, rumours are agog in political
circles that it has to do with power and assets sharing with regard to Kavitha
and assets dispute in the case of Sharmila, who is presently heading the
Congress party in Andhra Pradesh.
At least Kavitha reportedly sent a
message through mobile to her brother KTR, but Sharmila seems not to be on
talking terms.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated
across the country and abroad where Indians live. On this auspicious day,
sisters tie Rakhis to their brothers, as a bond of protection, obligation, or
care.
Out of station: KTR
Talk in the BRS camp is that
Kavitha sent a message to KTR a day before the Rakhi festival, but was curtly
informed that he was out of station.
Kavitha, in an interview with a TV
channel, asserted she would call on her brother KTR and tie Rakhi. “Generally,
there are no restrictions for Rakhi. I will certainly tie Rakhi to Ramanna (K T
Rama Rao). Relationships are different,” she said to a question when asked if
she would tie Rakhi to Rama Rao. KTR is reportedly out of the station.
However, when media persons
accosted her on the issue, she parried the question. “Why are you focusing only
on BRS? In Congress, CM speaks one thing and Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy
says another,” she quipped while speaking to the media at her Banjara Hills
residence.
Beeline to CM’s house
Interestingly, Ms Ramya Rao, a
cousin of KTR, Kavitha tied Rakhi to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other
Congress leaders at his residence, but not her immediate family members, headed
by KCR.
“This is the third time I have
tied Rakhi to CM Revanth Anna, but I have not tied Rakhi to KTR for the last 33
years. I used to post when KTR was studying in Guntur. Now the situation has
changed. There is no scope to tie Rakhi to him now. Politics has paved the way
for blood relations.”
KCR sisters tie Rakhi
Interestingly, KCR’s sisters,
Lakshmi Bai, Jayamma, and Vinodamma, called on their brother at Erravalli
farmhouse and tied Rakhi to him. KCR touched their feet and took blessings.
Meanwhile, several Congress
leaders, including Ministers Konda Surekha, Seethakka, and Nerella Sharada,
tied Rakhi to the CM, while BJP party leaders and workers tied Rakhi to Union
Minister G Kishan Reddy, Telangana BJP President N. Ramachander Rao.
Leaders and workers across the
political spectrum tied rakhis to their leaders in their respective political
parties.
C R Gowri Shanker is a senior journalist based out of Hyderabad. he has served as a Political Editor for Deccan Chronicle. With great insights on the political landscape of the country.
Hyderabad: The ruling Congress government headed by A
Revanth Reddy is hit by ‘Cabinet berth pangs.’
Party Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy has fired a
series of missiles against the Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and also the
Congress High Command for denying him a cabinet berth as “promised.”
Rajagopal Reddy, whose brother Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, MLA
from Nalgonda, is a cabinet Minister with portfolio of Roads and Buildings, has
launched a tirade against the Chief Minister not only for denying him a cabinet
berth but also against the language used by the CM against opponents.
At one stage, he said he would not hesitate to resign and
force bypolls in Munugode.
Keep the promise
“The Congress leadership had promised me a cabinet berth
before joining the party from the BJP, and during the Lok Sabha elections for
Bhongir as in-charge of the constituency. I believed the Congress leadership
and joined the party. I am confident the Congress high command will keep its
word. I never expected Congress to ditch me like this. High Command is willing
but some are stalling it…,” Reddy said.
He added, “Congress high command had promised me ministerial
berth. Komatireddy Venkatreddy (brother) is unaware of it. Due to the efforts
of all, Congress has come to power.”
After a gap of 13 months, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy
expanded his cabinet, including three MLAs, G Vivek Venkatswamy, A Laxman
Kumar, and V Srihari. At present, the Cabinet strength is 15, and there is a
chance for three more berths.
Targets Andhra contractors
Not just the cabinet berth issue, Rajagopal Reddy also hit
out at the Chief Minister alleging that there are about 20 Andhra contractors
and they were looting Telangana. “I will expose them soon,” he asserted.
Referring to recent CM’s outbursts against the Opposition
BRS and other parties besides the new generation of media, including digital
media, YouTubers and influencers, Rajagopal Reddy advised CM not to use abusive
language.
“CM should avoid abusing the opposition; tell what the
government is doing for the welfare of people, and pending promises. He has
been speaking all the time instead of focusing on his work. Seema Andhra
contractors are looting Telangana. What is he doing? I will expose them soon.
CM still has three and a half years tenure. After that we don’t know who will
be CM. High Command and the people will decide.”
Rajagopal Reddy’s series of outbursts has created a stir in
the Congress, and the matter is taken up by TPCC Disciplinary Committee
chairman and MP Mallu Ravi.
Mallu Ravi to take the call
“I will speak to him in a day or two and decide my future
course of action. Congress party will not tolerate indiscipline at any cost,”
Mallu Ravi said.
Reddy in the past had objected to Revanth Reddy’s
announcement that he will be the chief minister for the next 10 years. “This is
contrary to the policies of the Congress party. In a national party like
Congress, the selection of the Chief Minister happens democratically, as per
the directives of the high command. Sincere Congress leaders and workers will
not tolerate attempts to turn Telangana Congress into a personal fiefdom,” he
tweeted.
Rajagopal Reddy had strained relations with Revanth Reddy in
the past. Reddy in October 2022 quit Congress opposing Revanth Reddy’s
leadership as TPCC president, joined BJP, and contested Munugode bye-election
on a BJP ticket. He returned to the Congress fold ahead of the 2023 Assembly
elections, and was re-elected as Munugode MLA.
It’s not just Rajagopal Reddy who is seeking a cabinet
berth. The list is long, including Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy (Munugode), P
Sudarshan Reddy (Bodhan), K Premsagar Rao (Mancherial), Malreddy Ranga Reddy
(Ibrahimpatnam), T Ram Mohan Reddy (Parigi), Vijayashanti (MLC), among others.
Wait and watch
There are many other seniors like V Hanumantha Reddy, who
sought the party’s OBC chairman, Rajya Sabha seat, but denied the same. Some
senior party leaders are upset that newcomers and rank outsiders were given
nominated posts, but those who sincerely stood by the party over the years were
denied posts.
However, the Congress High Command has maintained a muted
silence on Rajagopal Reddy outbursts even as the Chief Minister took the BC
quota issue to New Delhi and organised a dharna at Jantar Mantar demanding
implementation of 42 per cent quota for BCs in education, employment, and local
body elections as per the findings of the State Government’s caste survey.
Congress leaders and cadre are watching the developments in
the party that is struggling to implement its poll promises, filling up cabinet
berths, nominated posts, and an action against dissidence.
C R Gowri Shanker is a senior journalist based out of Hyderabad. he has served as a Political Editor for Deccan Chronicle. With great insights on the political landscape of the country.
Hyderabad: Bharathi Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is rocking
with Kavitha’s onslaught.
After a brief lull, Telangana Jagruthi founder Kalvakuntla
Kavita lambasted former Minister and Suryapet MLA, Guntakandla Jagdish Reddy,
for his loose comments against her and also alleged that a “big leader” in BRS
was behind such utterances.
Lilliput leader
“A Lilliput leader (Jagdish Reddy) from Nalgonda, who
destroyed the party in the district, made some uncalled-for comments against
me. People should understand who is backing this leader. Entire Telangana felt
bad when some leaders made disparaging comments against me, but not my BRS
brothers. I don’t know why,” Kavitha said in a strong counter to Jagdish Reddy.
Barring his seat, which was won by a whisker, all the seats
in the Nalgonda district were lost, she alleged.
Questions his role in T movement
“He (Jagdish Reddy) was never involved in public agitation
(T Movement). What’s his standing without KCR? There is no leader without KCR.
And this Lilliput leader speaks against me. And another “bacha” leader who
joined BRS recently too made some comments. Who are they? What do they have to
do with the Telangana movement? They joined BRS after the party came to power,
got positions, and how dare they talk against me,” she retorted.
She added, “We fought against you. You are a kid and behave
like a kid. Don’t get involved in big people’s fights. You might be feeling
that several people are behind you. They will also be exposed soon. One can
indulge in politics, but one cannot deride “oka inti ada bidda” (daughter of
the house).
Jagdish comments trigger a row
Reason for the latest episode to rock the BRS party was
Jagdish Reddy’s comments to a Telugu TV channel on Kavitha, reasons for her
fall out with the party leadership, whether she would stay in the party or not,
whether she would float another party, and why no action was taken against her
despite her strong comments against party leadership.
Jagdish Reddy commented: “It’s sheer waste of time…not even
a minute discussing about her (Kavitha). We are not at all discussing her. She
is not a force. If she is at the party, she remains MLC; if she leaves the
party, she is nobody. We have never discussed her (with KCR).”
He added, “Why are you getting confused? If she leaves the
party and forms her party, the cadre will decide on which side to go. No such
thing as of now. Jagruthi is not new and conducts programmes. She did not
criticize the party. If she does, she will face action. I don’t want to discuss
“chit chats” in the media, it’s a waste of time since the other person involved
will deny it, and there’s no proof. “
Jagdish Reddy’s comments angered Kavitha, and she lambasted
him while talking to the media.
In an equally strong counter, Jagdish Reddy said he did not
make a loose comment against Kavitha as alleged.
Kavitha never figured in my discussions
“I just spoke about the fact. I did not make any comment
against her. I met KCR Garu at least 50 times recently. This topic (Kavitha’s
issue) never came up during our discussion. That’s a fact,” he said.
He added, “Party is supreme and I am one of the dedicated
soldiers of the party. If she wants to blame me for the rout of the party in
Nalgonda, I accept it. At the same time, will she give credit when we won 12
seats? At least I have won my seat. Win and loss are part of politics. That’s a
fact. I leave it to her wisdom on my role in the Telangana movement. She is
parroting what KCR rivals are saying. We are nothing without KCR. I accept it.
Some people think big about themselves. That’s the problem.”
Kavitha, MLC and daughter of former Chief Minister and BRS
supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, is having a running feud with party leadership and
keeping away from BRS programmes, Telangana Bhavan, after her May 2 six-page
personal letter to her father in Telugu was leaked.
She accused the “coterie” around KCR of influencing his
decisions and keeping her at bay from knowing about things in the party.
The letter pointed to her party’s and father’s style of
functioning, perceived ‘soft stance’ on the BJP, ‘selective access’ to party
leaders, KCR’s silence on the Wakf bill, 42 per cent reservations for BCs, and
devils surrounding him.
Though there was a talk in BRS and political circles that
it’s more to do with “power struggle” within the family and distribution of
wealth, but as days passed by, Kavitha’s distance from BRS is growing.
Some even allege that the ruling Congress government was
behind the father-daughter split.
Looks like a hard time for BRS, even as the ruling Congress
government is facing a tough time, as local body elections are close by, and
implementation of party promises is yet to be fulfilled.
Will Congress have the upper hand in local body polls, or
BRS springs a surprise, or BJP will gain, are million-dollar questions.
C R Gowri Shanker is a senior journalist based out of Hyderabad. he has served as a Political Editor for Deccan Chronicle. With great insights on the political landscape of the country.
Hyderabad:
BRS Working president K T Rama Rao and BJP MP C M Ramesh’s war of words over
the mortgage of government lands in Kancha Gachibowli and contracts in Future
City near Hyderabad has rocked the two Telugu States and opened up a can of
worms.
In the
process, a revival of the TDP-BJP electoral tie-up in Telangana State has been
hinted and there is a reemergence of Telangana and Andhra sentiment by BRS
leaders.
What was a
political allegation by K T Rama Rao that Revanth Reddy Government had handed
over Rs 1,665 crore Future City Road works on a platter to Rithivik projects
allegedly connected to BJP Anakapalle MP of Andhra Pradesh spilled to personal
and political attacks, with Ramesh alleging KTR proposed merger of BRS with BJP
in place of reprieve from corruption inquiry by Central agencies and release of
sister Kalvakuntla Kavita caught in liquor scam from Tihar Jail.
While KTR
refuted BRS’s offer to merge with BJP, Ramesh too stoutly denied that contracts
were given to firms on “nomination basis” and asserted the company got through
a competitive bidding.
This is the
second time TRS has turned down BRS’s proposed merger of the party. First, it
was instead of Telangana State with Congress during the T movement, and now
with the BJP to keep ED, CBI at bay from BRS leaders, including Kavitha.
KTR
refutes merger of BRS with BJP
KTR tweeted:
“In a democracy, there is no power greater than the power of the people. It was
you who brought Congress to power with your vote… and it is you who will have
to bring them down tomorrow. That one, this one, they keep talking. The BRS
party will remain here for another 50, 100 years, serving you and working for
you. As long as Telangana exists, the BRS party will exist. – BRS Working
President @KTRBRS.
KTR alleged
the MP was behind the mortgage of 400 acres of forest land in Kancha
Gachibowli, Hyderabad, to get a Rs. 10,000 crore loan. “I told you that I would
reveal this thief’s name. The thief has been exposed…C M Ramesh…BJP MP. Since
Ramesh helped CM in the mortgage of the lands, he presented him with a big
contract in Future City.
He added, “I
ask Rahul Gandhi why he is silent when his government is giving illegal
contracts to a BJP MP from the Andhra region? Why is the BJP not reacting?
The merger
of TRS with Congress and now BRS with BJP has raised shackles in the BRS party,
with party leaders and workers stumped. Kavitha, too, had talked about it after
her release from Tihar Jail.
C M
Ramesh hits back
Taking
strong exception to KTR’s allegations, C M Ramesh hit back literally below the
belt.
Said Ramesh,
“For the last few days, KTR has been levelling allegations against me,
including a nexus between the BJP, Congress to secure government contracts. I
wanted to ignore it like dogs barking when an elephant walks. But allegations
have increased. He made two serious allegations. First, I helped the government
get loans by mortgaging Kancha Gachibowli lands, and instead of that, the
government gave a huge contract to Rithwik Constructions in Future City.”
He added,
“KTR was in the government for 10 years. Can anyone give Rs 1665 crore works on
a nomination basis? Is he so ignorant? I thought he wanted to target Revanth
Reddy. He could have done it instead of dragging me into the controversy. But
then realised he is facing a problem at home like the one Jagan Mohan Reddy is
facing with his sister. Is it to divert attention? “
Ramesh said
he got all the details of the Rs 1665 crore works in Future City and found that
five to six companies, including Rithivik Projects, Mega Engineering, L and T,
Raghava, and others, bid.
“There were
two packages, one given to L and T and another to Rithivik. KTR says Rethink’s
projects belong to me, but I am not part of the company and resigned 15 years
ago. Since he had repeatedly levelled allegations, I had no option but to make
it public,” he remarked.
Ramesh was
also angry at KTR, alleging that contracts in Telangana State were given to
“Andhra walas”, ignoring Telangana contractors.
Ramesh
denies allegations
Ramesh said
KTR’s allegation that Rithivik Company obtained contracts in collusion with CM
Revanth Reddy was “silly” and “entirely false”, and added he has nothing to do
with the contracts.
The feud
also brought to the fore Telangana—Andhra sentiment again, with Ramesh throwing
a challenge to KTR to reveal the list of Andhra companies that had bagged
contracts during the 10-year BRS rule.
“You (KTR)
were in government for 10 years. During that period, you have given contracts
of nearly Rs 6 to 7 lakh crore. Kaleshwaram one lakh crore, water scheme Rs
30,000 crore…electricity works. No government contract above Rs 5 lakh is given
on a nomination basis. There is a process…tenders, and the lowest bidder gets
it. He alleged I am a friend of Revanth Reddy.”
Ramesh
added: I have a lot to talk about. Sometime back, he came to me for some work.
I told him why they were not taking proper political steps…lost good
leaders…kept leaders like Tummala Nageswara Rao away, and I feel sad now. KTR
said Chandrababu Naidu was a Kamma. We don’t invite Kamma leaders, and we don’t
need them. We trusted Reddys, but the moment we lost the government, they went
away. I advised him not to talk ill of any community. He added,” KTR said
Reddys have gone to the Revanth Reddy fold and Kammas to Chandrababu Naidu.”
KTR came
to my home in New Delhi
Ramesh said
KTR came to his house, No. 7 Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, when his sister
Kavitha was in Tihar Jail over a liquor scam. During the chat, KTR offered to
merge BRS with BJP or have an alliance with BJP if the latter kept ED, CBI from
corruption charges and Kavitha was released from jail in the liquor scam. I
told him I am not the authority and will discuss with party leaders on the
merger issue. There are CC cameras to prove it.”
BJP MP said
when he broached the issue with some party leaders, they said BRS was a sinking
ship and had a bad image, hence the people rejected the party in the assembly
and Lok Sabha elections. “Party leaders said BJP will come to power on its own
in Telangana State sooner or later, and there is no need to carry “this baggage
(BRS)”.
He added,
“They said there was Telangana sentiment in the beginning, and the situation
has changed. Telangana people have realised the truth, and they won’t vote BRS
again. I passed on the message to KTR. Remember, Kavitha too had revealed about
the merger.”
KTR also
said his father (K Chandrasekhar Rao) was ill and he was unable to take all
these things. “KTR should remember how he won the assembly polls by a whisker
of 300 votes. In Sircilla, I helped him, but he is ungrateful and levelling
baseless allegations against me. If he had a grudge against CM Revanth Reddy,
he should settle scores with him but not drag me into this conflict.”
C R Gowri Shanker is a senior journalist based out of Hyderabad. he has served as a Political Editor for Deccan Chronicle. With great insights on the political landscape of the country.
The BJP MP said KTR fears the coming together of the BJP and TDP in Telangana.
"He fears that in future if BJP and TDP go together in Telangana, Bharat Rashtra Samithi would be washed away, that's why he is making baseless allegations."
