Telangana Elections: Anti-Incumbency, Kaleshwaram, and More: KTR’s Answers on Key Issues

Minister KTR emphasized the term ‘Silent Voter’ when questioned about anti-incumbency in a recent interview. He underscored that anti-incumbency is often overhyped, overlooking the significance of silent voting. According to him, the majority of voters remain silent until the time of casting their votes, a phenomenon that is underestimated by the media and psephologists. Minister KTR is confident that good governance and progress will undoubtedly be recognized, respected, and endorsed by the public in elections. He stated that silent voters, who enjoy the fruits of good governance and don’t have much to complain about, are not vocal.

In a recent interview with Senior Journalist Dhanya Rajendran, KTR answered all the burning questions in Telangana Elections.

TSPSC Paper Leakage

Speaking about anti-incumbency, KTR asserted that it is not possible to satisfy everyone in one go. He emphasized the importance of course correction, ensuring that things that don’t seem to be going right are addressed, receiving feedback, and making necessary corrections. During the interview, he mentioned the TSPSC paper leakage and expressed his opinion that handling TSPSC affairs could have been better. He pointed out that in Gujarat, there were 13 incidents of paper leakage. He suggested the need for course correction and confidence-building measures, stating that improvements could have been made. KTR mentioned that in the past 9 and a half years of the BRS government, they have provided over 1.60 lakh government jobs, with an additional 70 thousand recruitments currently underway.

Contesting Elections with the Same Sitting MLAs

KTR stated that BRS chief KCR, loyal to his cadre, decided to go into the elections with a majority of sitting MLAs. He recalled that in 2018, BRS ran elections with only 7 changes, and now there are 10 changes in the candidates’ list. He added that whether this is a good or bad thing will be decided with time. Reacting over party defections, KTR mentioned that the party has become a bit overloaded in the last 9 and a half years, with numerous leaders joining and some leaving due to increased competition for opportunities. He emphasized that this is quite natural, and people should not perceive it negatively.

Read, what KCR had to say on the prospects of BRS in this election.

Reacting to Modi’s Allegations

In response to a question about Modi’s allegations regarding BRS Chief KCR’s request to include them in the NDA, KTR stated that he does not take Modi’s comments seriously. He mentioned that Modi has made many statements in the past, none of which have come true. KTR also commented on the failed attempt to attract BRS MLAs, mocking PM Modi for what he described as a modus operandi of either Jhumla or Hamla. He suggested that if Bandi Sanjay were the BJP Telangana president, the elections could have been more entertaining. KTR emphasised that when the BJP has nothing substantial to discuss, they try to provoke and polarise by bringing up movies like ‘Razakars’. He expressed concern that such moves, along with politically motivated movies, disturb law and order and communal harmony. He added that’s why he made an open statement that the censor board and election commission should re-look at the movie, as the producer himself is affiliated with the BJP.

Reacting to B-Team Allegations Against BRS

KTR expressed his opinion that both the Congress and BJP, being national parties, are responsible for the current state of India, which continues to lack basic facilities such as power, roads, and water even 75 years after gaining independence. He criticised the Congress for targeting BRS, accusing them of being the B-Team of BRS due to the perceived lack of internal strength and abilities within the Congress. He dismissed the allegations of Congress, saying they were the B-Team of the BJP and that the BJP government in Central was not arresting Kavitha for his alleged involvement in the Delhi liquor scam case. He emphasised that Rahul and Sonia Gandhi are also facing ED cases, yet they have not been arrested, asserting that it doesn’t mean they are the B-Team of the BJP. KTR claims both Modi and Rahul do not want a third person to emerge in national politics. He said that’s why Congress is alleging them as the B-Team of the BJP, their actual intention behind this narrative is to get minority votes in the state in the upcoming elections.

Over Kaleshwaram controversy

KTR mentioned that the Congress government’s plan for the Pranahitha-Chevella project at Thummidihetty was incompetent, prompting the BRS government construct the Kaleshwaram project. He pointed out that the Congress plan lacked reservoir capacity, whereas the Kaleshwaram project added 147 tmc reservoir capacity, doubled pumping capacity, and lifting capacity. KTR highlighted the extensive construction efforts, including the creation of over 100 kilometers of tunnels and 1000-plus kilometers of canals, compared to the Congress plan that focused only on canals. He further explained that when the Congress estimated the project cost at Rs.40 thousand crores in 2005, BRS began the Kaleshwaram project in 2016, facing increased prices of steel, cement, etc. Due to additional project components, the budget doubled.