Revanth Losing Credibility? Zero Action on BRS Scams After 1,000 Days

During the BRS regime, the Congress repeatedly alleged that the Dharani land records system had become a massive avenue for corruption and that the Kaleshwaram project was one of the biggest scams in the country. Congress leaders made several promises that, once they came to power, those who had looted public money would be sent behind bars. But after coming to power, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy appears to have changed his tone. He has been making statements in the style of a statesman, saying that he does not believe in vindictive politics. In other words, the criticism now is that after making all kinds of promises to come to power, his approach has changed to one that suggests he will not take action even if people in power or political leaders have allegedly looted public wealth. That is why, even after nearly 1,000 days since Revanth Reddy took charge as Chief Minister, there has been no action on even a single major issue related to alleged irregularities and corruption during the previous BRS government, critics argue. As a result, there is now a discussion even among Congress leaders that both Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Congress government are at risk of losing their credibility.

Some Congress ministers are also expressing the view that Revanth Reddy appears to be using the alleged irregularities committed during the previous BRS regime for political settlements and political gains. For example, one minister commented that doubts about Revanth Reddy's credibility have grown stronger after the Telangana government-appointed inquiry commission was kept out of the scope of the most crucial alleged corruption component in the Kaleshwaram scam, which had created a major political storm in Telangana. Another major issue is Dharani. A forensic audit is meant to investigate matters comprehensively from all possible angles and bring the facts to light. Even after the forensic audit was completed, there is now a discussion that the government appears to have formed a Special Enquiry Team (SET) again, seemingly to "settle" the entire matter. Another important point is that while the alleged Dharani scam took place during the BRS regime, the Revanth Reddy government is now facing controversy over 22-A lands. For the past several months, the 22-A land issue has created a major political uproar in Telangana. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, along with Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, has faced strong criticism and allegations in connection with this issue.

Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy's statement that he had brought the 22-A land issue to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's attention four months ago has also raised doubts over whether the entire episode was carried out according to a plan. Even at the inauguration of the Musarambagh Bridge on Monday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy once again alleged that ₹1 lakh crore had been looted during the BRS regime. But when it comes to what the Revanth Reddy government has done against those allegedly responsible during these 1,000 days, critics say the answer can be described as zero. This is not the only issue. While in the opposition, Revanth Reddy had also alleged and strongly criticised massive corruption in the construction of thermal power projects during the BRS regime. After coming to power, his government appointed a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur. Although the committee submitted its report to the government, no action has been taken on it so far.

The list does not end there. Allegations of major scams were also raised in the distribution of sheep to the poor as well as in procurements by the Health Department. In the Health Department procurement scam, it was reportedly found that the son of a key official who had worked in the then Chief Minister's Office was allegedly involved in major corruption. Even then, there has been no action from the Revanth Reddy government. Thus, the criticism is that all these matters are being quietly pushed aside, with no concrete action being taken in even a single major case. This has led to growing doubts over the credibility of both Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Congress government.