‘Telangana Govt Tapping Phones’: KTR Asks Revanth Reddy To Face Lie Detector Test, Calls Him ‘Half-Guarantee’ CM

ABP Southern Rising Summit 2024: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) made strong remarks against the Congress-led government in Telangana, challenging Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to a lie detector test over allegations of phone tapping. Speaking at the ABP Southern Rising Summit 2024, KTR labelled the Congress government as a “disaster” for the state, criticising it for not delivering on its promises.
KTR accused the Congress of engaging in “aaya Ram gaya Ram politics” and failing to adhere to anti-defection laws. He added, “Revanth Reddy and the Congress government are a disaster for the state. They promised magic in 100 days; it has been 300 days, and we are asking him what happened. Revanth Reddy has become a half-guarantee. Six guarantees have reduced to half.”
Challenging Revanth Reddy on allegations of phone tapping, KTR said, “I want to ask Revanth, is his government not tapping the phones of its own ministers and mine? Ask him to respond. I know whose phones are being tapped by the Revanth government, be they members of the ruling government or opposition. He also knows it. Our government will come back after three years; this will haunt him then.”
He even offered to undergo a lie detector test, asserting, “Ask Revanth Reddy… Bring a lie detector test; I am willing to take it. Ask him to take it. Revanth Reddy government is tapping phones.”
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<h3>KTR On BRS’s Loss In Telangana Polls And Allegations Against KCR Govt</h3>
Reflecting on the BRS’s performance in the previous Assembly elections, KTR acknowledged a loss of 14 seats but considered it a “new learning” experience. He attributed the dip in performance to anti-incumbency and a communication gap, saying, “Any government faces anti-incumbency after 10 years. There’s a fatigue factor. Perception management is where we didn’t do well.” He highlighted the achievements of the BRS government, such as creating 1.60 lakh jobs in nine years and enhancing government employee salaries by 73%. However, he admitted that these accomplishments were not communicated effectively to the youth, leading to a loss of support.
KTR praised the Congress’s poll strategy, noting, “I have to give credit where it’s due: Congress has done well with its imaginative poll campaign of six guarantees. It was a well-thought-out plan, especially since our government had already met the basic needs of the people. With water and electricity secured, the public felt they could ask for more from Congress.”
On his new role as an opposition MLA, KTR expressed satisfaction, stating, “I am grateful to the people of Telangana for giving us two terms… Now it’s a new role to play the role of constructive Opposition. Hold the government accountable, make sure they don’t do mistakes, make sure they deliver on the promises they made. It’s a great role. I’m enjoying it.”
Addressing allegations of arrogance against the KCR family, KTR remarked, “When you are self-assured, you can come off as cocky and arrogant… When someone like me, who is the Chief Minister’s son, is a performing minister and is doing well, charges like arrogance and corruption are made up to bring us down.”
KTR also criticised the BJP, accusing them of targeting opposition leaders through enforcement agencies. “The witch-hunting of politicians has become a fashion in India now. Those who side with them are safe and the ED won’t go after them. But if someone is not with BJP, then they will come after you,” he claimed.
Taking a swipe at the Congress’s promises, KTR said, “Congress should be asked where are their six guarantees. They promised to deliver in 100 days… People have been taken for a ride by Congress. I think people have already realised their mistakes. Hopefully, we will be given another chance.”
On allegations of going after Opposition during the BRS rule, he remarked, “What we did was constitutionally allowed merger; if two-thirds of a party’s members are in agreement, it is considered a movement. However, when just ten people from a party decide to leave, it is termed defection, which is governed by anti-defection laws.”
During the summit, KTR also referred to Revanth Reddy as a “cheap minister” for his remarks and defended the record of the BRS government during its tenure.