KTR, others pay tributes to martyrs before setting off to Elkathurthy
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party leaders led by its working president K.T. Rama Rao paid tributes at Martyrs Memorial in front of the Assembly Building and to the Konda Laxman Bapuji statue on Tank Bund before heading to Elkathurthy to attend the party's silver jubilee public meeting on Sunday.
While paying tributes, Mr. Rama Rao recollected the contributions of Konda Laxman Bapuji and Prof. K. Jayashankar to the Statehood movement how they remained beacons to the party's spirit and journey. It was at the Jala Drushyam, then the residence of Konda Laxman Bapuji, the BRS (TRS) had taken shape in 2001 and the silver jubilee event of the party was being led from the same venue, which was donated as the party office when it had no address.
He also paid tributes to the lesser known martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of Statehood to Telangana and hoped that the party would get an opportunity to serve the Telangana society for another 25 years. Earlier, he hoisted the party flag at Telangana Bhavan.
At Siddipet, senior leader T. Harish Rao hoisted the party flag at the Housing Board arch to celebrate the party's 25th birthday. The party and its ideology had taken roots at Siddipet itself 24 years ago and how it had fought for the self respect of Telangana people all through. He also recollected how the Congress government had betrayed on poll promises and said the BRS would continue to wage a fight to build pressure on the ruling party to fulfil its promises.
Meanwhile, senior leaders of the party set off to Elkathurthy from different places in Telangana on Sunday morning.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
BRS rift resurfaces as MLC Kavitha alleges internal conspiracy behind remarks against her
Telangana Jagruti president and MLC K Kavitha on Sunday alleged that a senior party leader was behind the "inappropriate remarks" made against her, bringing "internal rifts" within the BRS back into focus. While she did not specify the nature of the comments, Kavitha said the silence of her party colleagues over the issue was telling. "The whole of Telangana felt bad when inappropriate remarks were made against me, a daughter of this state. Many people reacted. But, for some reason, my brothers in the BRS remained silent. We need to question why," she told reporters here. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shooter Action MMO Crossout Play Now Undo Kavitha claimed she had specific information that a senior leader within the party was responsible for instigating the remarks. "These conspirators think they can plant people among my supporters and gather information about me. But they should know-I, too, know what's happening inside the party," she added. Live Events "I know whom you met, whom you encouraged to speak against me, and how low you stooped to target a woman. I'm watching it all," she claimed. The BRS leader, who is the daughter of party president K Chandrasekhar Rao, said she "believes in karma" and warned that those targeting her "would eventually face consequences." She also aimed at a "Lilliput leader" in the BRS, accusing him of damaging the party's prospects in Nalgonda district and of making "disparaging comments" about her. "What stature does any leader in BRS have without KCR? It was KCR who introduced all of us to the people," she claimed. BRS MLA from Nalgonda, G Jagadish Reddy, responded to Kavitha's comments, saying he "salutes" her understanding of his contributions to the Telangana statehood movement. In a post on 'X', Reddy said he conveys his "sympathy" to Kavitha for echoing allegations made by KCR's political opponents, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Speaking to reporters, he said he takes full responsibility for both the past electoral successes and the recent losses of the BRS in Nalgonda district. Although Kavitha did not name the individual or elaborate on the "inappropriate comments" she referred to, it is speculated that she was alluding to remarks made last month by suspended Congress MLC Naveen Kumar, also known as Teenmar Mallanna. In July, members of the Telangana Jagruthi had allegedly attacked Mallanna's office in protest against his "derogatory" comments against Kavitha. Both sides later filed police complaints against each other. Factionalism in the BRS came into public view earlier in May when Kavitha expressed dismay over the leak of a letter she had written to her father and party chief. At the time, she had said that conspiracies were at play within the party and likened "KCR to a god surrounded by devils." Her brother and BRS working president K T Rama Rao had then responded by stating that "internal party issues should be addressed within the party forum and not aired in public." Since then, Kavitha has continued political activities under Telangana Jagruti, a cultural outfit she heads. Meanwhile, on Sunday, she demanded that the Congress government in Telangana grant permission for a proposed 72-hour hunger strike from August 4. She said the protest is intended to pressure both the state government and the NDA-led Centre to approve the backward class reservation bills passed by the Telangana Assembly in March, which propose a 42 per cent quota for backward communities.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Andhra Pradesh-Telangana Water Row: Nara Lokesh's Remarks Stirs Fresh Tensions Over Godavari Dispute
Hyderabad: A fresh round of war of words has erupted between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over sharing of river waters after Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh defended the controversial Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project and declared that the government is determined to take Centre's approval for the same. Two weeks after the Telugu states agreed to form a committee to address river water issues, Lokesh's comments have triggered new tension between the two neighbours. The remarks by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's son not only drew strong reaction from the Congress government in Telangana but also provided more ammunition to Telangana's opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which has been accusing Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of mortgaging Telangana's interests to his "political guru", CM Naidu, by agreeing to a committee. Lokesh, who is minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology, not only questioned Telangana's objections to the project but also asked the neighbouring state if it had the approvals to build the Kaleshwaram project on the Godavari River. Maintaining that Andhra Pradesh will be diverting Godavari water flowing into the sea to the Rayalaseema region through the Banakacherla project, Lokesh remarked, "Why should anyone have an objection to it?" "We will be diverting the river water, which is coming to Andhra Pradesh after flowing through Telangana, and going into the sea. I am surprised why they should have an objection to it. Why did you build the Kaleshwaram project? Do you have regulatory committee approval?" he asked. He alleged that some leaders were deliberately inciting regional animosities in the name of Banakacherla for political mileage. Lokesh did not name any party, but BRS was quick to hit back at him. Claiming itself to be the only party which can protect the water rights of Telangana, BRS vowed to fight legally to stop the Banakacherla project. "Speaking about our water rights is not inciting regional animosities. How is it wrong to speak about the future of our people? As the party that achieved Telangana, we will speak about our rightful share of water," said BRS leader and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao. On Lokesh's claim that Andhra Pradesh did not obstruct the Kaleshwaram project of Telangana, Harish Rao advised him to ask his father if he did not write seven letters to the Centre to stop the project. Referring to Lokesh's remark that they have the "required power" to get the Centre's approval for Banakacherla, Harish Rao alleged that CM Naidu was acting as per his wish, as Revanth Reddy was maintaining silence. "Revanth Reddy is busy paying 'guru dakshina' to Chandrababu Naidu," Harish Rao said, referring to the past relationship between the two chief ministers. Lokesh's remarks also drew the ire of Telangana ministers and Congress leaders. They warned that his comments could harm the harmony between the two states. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka termed as "misleading" the statement by Lokesh that the Banakacherla project will divert water which is flowing into the sea. He argued that river basin states have a share in flood waters. Vikramarka blamed the "incompetence" of BRS for the water going to the downstream. "The BRS during its 10-year rule failed to take up projects to utilise the state's share," he said. He also made it clear that Telangana would not entertain further discussions about Banakacherla until its rights and needs were met. Dismissing the BRS allegations of a secret understanding with the TDP-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, Vikramarka said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy went to Delhi to stop the Banakacherla project. The Congress leaders also alleged that BRS, during its rule, mortgaged Telangana's water rights to Andhra Pradesh and claimed that their government is now trying to reclaim those rights. The Union Government told Parliament last week that construction on Banakacherla has not begun as the Telangana government continues to raise serious objections to it. Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said in reply to a question that the ministry received a proposal seeking a grant of Terms of Reference for undertaking an environmental impact assessment study for the proposed project. The proposal was appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydro-Electric projects in its meeting held on June 17. The EAC recommended that the project proponent should approach the Central Water Commission for examining the inter-state issues and grant of necessary clearance/permission/NOC before submitting the proposal for framing the TOR for conducting the EIA study. Accordingly, the EAC recommended the return of the proposal. The Rajya Sabha was told that the project is being assessed by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in consultation with all concerned authorities and co-basin states. Giving a new twist to the row, Lokesh said that the Andhra Pradesh government will ensure that the CWC gives its clearance for the Banakachelra project. As the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a key partner in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, Congress and BRS leaders in Telangana have the apprehension that Chandrababu Naidu may influence the Centre to approve the project. The Banakcherla project aims to divert 200 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of Godavari floodwater to irrigate 7.41 lakh acres, stabilise 22.58 lakh acres in drought-prone Rayalaseema and south coastal districts, and supply industrial water. During his meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently, CM Naidu sought the Centre's help to complete the project, which is estimated to cost Rs 80,000 crore. He explained that the project proposes to divert 200 TMC of floodwater from Polavaram to the Banakacherla regulator in Kurnool district. He stressed that, as the last state on the river's course, Andhra Pradesh has the rightful claim to fully utilise this surplus water from the Godavari. CM Naidu maintained that the proposed project poses no harm to Telangana's interests. He has been stating that 2,000 TMC of Godavari water is flowing into the sea, and that if this water is utilised, it will benefit both the states. Telangana is opposing the Banakacherla project as it fears that it will impact water availability and violate inter-state water sharing agreements. At a meeting in Delhi on July 16 in the presence of the Jal Shakti Minister, the chief ministers of the two states agreed to constitute a committee to address all issues concerning Godavari and Krishna river waters. It was announced that the committee will comprise senior officials, engineers and experts from both the Telugu states. It was to be formed in 3-4 days and come out with a way forward on all issues in 30 days. The committee has not yet been constituted. While Telangana Chief Minister stated after the meeting that Banakacherla was not discussed in the meeting, Andhra Pradesh's Irrigation Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu claimed that it was the first item on the agenda and that the proposed committee will look into all issues, including Banakacherla.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Protest, Political Blame Game Over Quota For Backward Classes In Telangana
Hyderabad: The political landscape in Telangana is currently dominated by a high-stakes standoff over the implementation of a 42 percent reservation for Backwards Classes (BC), leading to a series of protests and political blame games among the state's major parties. The issue has gained urgency due to the upcoming local body elections and a Telangana High Court directive to finalise reservations by the end of September. The Congress government, which passed two Bills in the state assembly to increase the BC quota in local bodies, education, and employment, is now pointing fingers at the Centre for the delay. The Bills, which propose a 42 percent quota for BCs, along with existing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, were sent to the Governor in March and subsequently forwarded to the President of India for approval. In response to the perceived delay, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has announced a "Chalo Delhi" protest. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, along with his ministers, MPs, and other party leaders, is scheduled to camp in Delhi from August 5-7. The protest includes a demonstration at Jantar Mantar and a planned meeting with President Droupadi Murmu to urge her to approve the pending bills. However, the opposition is not letting the Congress off the hook. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused the Congress government of political manoeuvering and a lack of sincerity. BRS MLC K Kavitha has announced a 72-hour hunger strike from August 4-6, demanding the early implementation of the 42 percent BC quota, under the aegis of Telangana Jagruti. She criticised both the Congress and the BJP for delaying the bill and questioned the state government's commitment, stating that it has not taken concrete steps to pressure the Centre. Kavitha also pointed out that the government has not pursued legal action, citing the example of Tamil Nadu, which successfully fought for higher reservation through legal means. The BRS is holding its own party-led demonstrations. BRS working president KT Rama Rao and other party leaders have held meetings with the party's BC leaders and have accused the Congress government of a "new drama" to mislead the BC communities. They argue that the Congress has been insincere in its efforts and that the state government is trying to evade responsibility by blaming the Centre. The BJP, on the other hand, is vehemently opposing the Congress's proposal, particularly the inclusion of a 10 percent Muslim quota within the 42 percent BC reservation. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, addressing a protest organised by the BJP OBC Morcha, alleged that the Congress's plan would only leave BCs with a 32 percent quota and that it is an act of appeasement politics for electoral gain. He demanded that the Congress government scrap the religion-based reservation for Muslims and provide a full 42 percent quota exclusively for BCs. The BJP has also accused the Congress of trying to "defame the BJP and the Centre" by staging protests in Delhi to cover up its own failures.
