Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS deputy floor leader T. Harish Rao alleged that the Congress government backed out of the Telangana debt debate despite issuing a public challenge. He also claimed the ruling party failed to defend its allegations on the State’s debt and Gurukul tenders.
Speaking at a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Thursday, Harish Rao said senior BRS leaders, including K.T. Rama Rao and himself, reached the venue for the proposed debate. However, he alleged that Congress leaders did not attend the programme.
Harish Rao claimed Minister Jupally Krishna Rao first alleged that the previous BRS government left Telangana with ₹8 lakh crore in debt. Later, he said, the minister revised the figure to ₹7 lakh crore. Therefore, Harish Rao questioned the credibility of the government’s claims and demanded an explanation.
Telangana debt debate linked to Gurukul tender allegations
Harish Rao also alleged that the government prevented the debate by deploying police personnel and stopping BRS leaders from reaching the designated venue. According to him, those actions reflected the government’s unwillingness to defend its allegations publicly.
Further, Harish Rao claimed that he, along with BRS leaders R.S. Praveen Kumar and Koppula Eshwar, submitted documentary evidence on alleged irregularities in Gurukul tenders. He alleged the Congress government avoided the debate because it could not answer those allegations.
He further claimed that procurement of groceries, uniforms, footwear, notebooks and other supplies for Gurukul institutions caused substantial financial losses to the State. He also alleged that officials inflated the prices of edible oils, spices and several essential items.
In addition, Harish Rao alleged that procurement orders meant for LIDCAP were diverted despite an existing government policy. He claimed LIDCAP had acknowledged receiving such orders during the previous BRS government.
Harish Rao also alleged that notebook procurement irregularities surfaced after the BRS questioned the inclusion of a watermark condition. According to him, the government later cancelled the tenders, delaying notebook supplies to students.
Finally, he alleged that the government transferred the wife of BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar and reduced his security after he raised questions about the Gurukul tenders. The Congress government has not responded to these allegations.
