Hyderabad: BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao on Tuesday accused the Congress-led Telangana government of betraying public trust through fare hikes, privatisation efforts, and unfulfilled welfare promises.
‘What face does Congress have?’
Addressing reporters, KTR questioned the Congress’s moral right to seek votes after “22 months of deception.” He argued that the party had failed on every front. As a result, public frustration is steadily rising and will reflect in the upcoming elections.
He also criticised the recent hike in RTC bus fares, accusing the government of hiding privatisation behind its electric vehicle rollout. “They gave free bus rides to wives but doubled fares for husbands and increased charges for children’s passes. This is the real face of Congress betrayal,” he said.
RTC privatisation and city fare burden
KTR alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s EV push was simply a tactic to offload RTC operations to private hands. In his view, the burden of fare hikes falls heavily on Hyderabad’s middle-class commuters, as only city routes saw increased prices.
He questioned why the RTC corporation could not directly purchase and operate its new fleet. “Why hand them to private operators?” he asked.
Broken promises to workers and families
Referring to the 2023 Assembly elections, KTR said Hyderabad voters had rejected Congress outright. He accused the party of failing even basic governance by not building or maintaining roads.
He further slammed Congress for neglecting welfare promises. “Auto drivers—over 1.2 lakh in the city—will confirm how their livelihoods have been hit. Congress promised two lakh jobs, ₹2,500 monthly aid for women, and ₹4,000 pensions for older people. Not one promise has been fulfilled,” he said.
Jubilee Hills land row and festival fare hikes
On the Jubilee Hills cemetery issue, KTR said the BRS government had already allocated 125 acres each for Muslim and Christian graveyards in 2022, backed by an official government order. He ridiculed the Congress’s new offer of just 2,500 square yards on contested land, also claimed by the army.
In addition, he criticised the 50% surge in ticket fares during festivals. He contrasted this with the BRS government’s welfare giveaways. “Under KCR, people received Bathukamma sarees, Ramzan gifts, and Christmas kits. Now, Revanth Reddy gives them the ‘gift’ of fare hikes,” he said.
