KT Rama Rao (KTR), Working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has launched a fervent critique of the Telangana government for allegedly prioritizing beauty pageants over addressing the pressing issue of farmer suicides in the state. During an Assembly speech, KTR condemned the expenditure of Rs 55 crore on events such as the upcoming Miss World competition, while farmers are left struggling for drinking and irrigation water.
“At a time when the state is grappling with distress and farmers are taking their lives, the government’s focus on organizing beauty contests is misplaced. These events hold little relevance and necessity,” KTR stated, urging the government to clarify how such pageants contribute to job creation or revenue generation. He criticized the administration for misrepresenting these events as significant international accomplishments, despite their waning global recognition.
KTR also expressed his disapproval of the government’s decision to lock away the towering statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar, a national symbol of pride, raising questions about its exclusion from the tourism circuit. “Why is Ambedkar being held captive? Will the government at least open it on his birth anniversary, when followers from across the nation come to pay their respects?” he questioned.
In a further critique, KTR highlighted the government’s contradictory approach in tourism policy, noting the scrapping of the Rs 46 crore Formula-E event, designed to attract investments in electronics, deemed wasteful. He accused the government of making a “foolish decision” by unilaterally canceling Formula-E without Cabinet approval, resulting in a significant financial loss for the state.
KTR indicated that the Formula-E event had potential to draw substantial investments in electronics across districts like Zahirabad, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, and Mahabubnagar, with interest from major companies.
The BRS leader questioned the government’s double standards regarding public asset leasing, contrasting the negative view of the Outer Ring Road lease with the current plan to lease public lands for 99 years. He also criticized the Congress party for its past opposition to the Outer Ring Road deal and accused it of hypocrisy.
Counters to Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao’s assertion that little has been accomplished in tourism were provided by KTR, who enumerated achievements under the BRS government, including UNESCO recognition for the Ramappa Temple and the development of significant attractions like the Qutub Shahi Tombs and Mojamjahi Market. He also cited the progress of the Buddhavanam project and tourism initiatives at Ranganayaka Sagar under the Kaleshwaram project.
KTR underscored that under BRS governance, international events such as the World Economic Forum and Global Entrepreneur Summit were successfully hosted, attended by high-profile figures. He emphasized that tourism projects in Kollapur and nearly completed developments like the Kaloji Auditorium in Warangal had been advanced since BRS came to power, while the Congress government now claims the credit for final touches.
Aiming to preserve cultural heritage, KTR mentioned that the BRS initiative, Cultural Sarathi, has created jobs for 550 artists and revived Telangana’s unique language and dialects, declaring, “We have revitalized our identity, while this government suppresses symbols of justice.”
In response to KTR’s allegations, Congress leader Rohin Reddy criticized him, implying a lack of mental clarity and recalling their unfulfilled promise of a Rs 1 lakh loan waiver for farmers, contrasting it with the Congress promise of a Rs 2 lakh loan waiver under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
Defending the Miss World event, Reddy remarked, “The Miss World competition is an international event attracting participants from over 190 countries, providing a significant boost to tourism and the economy. The agreement between the Miss World Organization and the Telangana government is valued at Rs 27 crore, with Rs 5 crore already paid and the remainder to be funded by sponsors.”
