HYDERABAD: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud issued a blistering criticism of Union Minister Kishan Reddy during a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, accusing him and the BJP of failing Telangana and engaging in political doublespeak.
Goud directly questioned what Kishan Reddy, whom he referred to as Kismat Reddy, had achieved for Telangana in his 25-year political career and as an MP from Amberpet. He challenged the minister to name a single substantial contribution to the state’s development and accused him of lacking the courage to speak up for Telangana’s needs.
Calling the BJP’s claim of forming a government in Telangana a “daydream,” Goud accused the party of failing to even once discuss state development during meetings with the Prime Minister. He claimed the recurring alliance between the BJP and BRS during elections had become a routine drama, with both parties turning into rivals immediately afterward.
Goud also demanded to know how much central funding Kishan Reddy had brought to the state during his 15-month tenure as Union Minister. “As a son of Telangana, do you not feel ashamed, Kismat Reddy?” he asked, adding that Kishan Reddy never raised the issue of central funds for Telangana.
He also took a swipe at Kishan Reddy’s frequent criticism of AIMIM’s Akbaruddin Owaisi, sarcastically suggesting the two must have been brothers in a past life. Goud alleged that BJP leaders were more focused on religion than development.
He accused BJP of staying silent on alleged corruption in the Kaleshwaram Project and questioned why the party did not act if it truly opposed such irregularities. “How long will you survive on caste and religion-based politics, Kismat Reddy?” he asked.
Goud reiterated allegations of a secret pact between the BJP and BRS in local body elections and questioned how BJP was contesting elections without numerical strength. He said the Congress had no need to form secret partnerships and had the courage to contest and win on its own merit.
He highlighted key Congress initiatives, including caste surveys, the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, the BC Bill, recruitment for 60,000 jobs, and Indiramma housing. He said these moves were proof of the party’s commitment to all communities, unlike the BJP, which he accused of using religion for political stunts.
On the Metro Rail expansion, Goud criticised Kishan Reddy for neglecting his duties as Hyderabad MP and failing to cooperate on city infrastructure projects.
He also questioned the BJP’s silence on using HCU lands for industrial development, which he said could generate jobs for the youth, and accused the party of trying to revive “Razakar-era politics”.
Taking further aim at the BJP’s record on social justice, he asked why BC leaders like Etela Rajender and Bandi Sanjay had not spoken up in support of 42% BC reservations.
Goud warned that derogatory language from BJP leaders like Bandi Sanjay would not be tolerated. He asserted that Congress does not indulge in targeted or provocative speech and that any deliberate comments would lead to consequences.
The press conference was also attended by MP Mallu Ravi, MLC Balmoor Venkat, AICC member Vamshi Chand Reddy, and former MLA Enugu Ravinder Reddy.
